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Appendicular cortical bone loss after age 65: sex-dependent event?
D Maggio1, R Pacifici, A Cherubini
1Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Perugia, Italy.
Calcified Tissue International
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Appendicular cortical bone loss accelerates with age, particularly in elderly women. Bone density decreases significantly in both sexes, but at a higher rate in older females compared to males.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Radiology
- Bone Densitometry
Background:
- Age-related bone loss is a significant health concern, impacting skeletal integrity.
- Understanding sex-specific differences in bone loss rates is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify age-related bone loss at the distal radius and second metacarpal in Caucasian adults.
- To compare bone loss rates between men and women, with a focus on the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- Computerized analysis of standard hand X-ray films from 296 Caucasian subjects (189 women, 107 men).
- Photodensitometric and radiogrammetric measurements of distal radius bone density and metacarpal index.
- Regression analysis to determine age-related bone loss rates.
Main Results:
- Significant linear decrease in distal radius bone density and metacarpal index with age for both sexes.
- Annual bone loss rates: -0.7% (women) and -0.5% (men) by photodensitometry; -0.49% (women) and -0.33% (men) by radiogrammetry.
- Elderly women (>65 years) exhibited accelerated bone loss (-1.4% annually by photodensitometry), while elderly men showed no significant loss.
Conclusions:
- Appendicular cortical bone loss is more pronounced in elderly females than in elderly males.
- Both distal radial and metacarpal sites demonstrate higher rates of bone loss in older women.
- Findings highlight the critical need for age- and sex-specific considerations in osteoporosis management.