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[Peak bone mass: facts and uncertainties]
J P Bonjour1, G Theintz, F Law
1Département de médecine, hôpital cantonal universitaire, Genève, Suisse.
Summary
Peak bone mass, achieved by skeletal maturity, is crucial for preventing adult osteoporosis. Males achieve greater bone mass than females due to a longer maturation period, influencing fracture risk.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology and skeletal health.
- Osteoporosis research.
- Human physiology and development.
Context:
- Peak bone mass is a key factor in adult osteoporotic fracture risk.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement techniques like absorptiometry are used to assess bone strength.
- Gender differences in bone mass emerge during puberty.
Purpose:
- To explore the determinants of peak bone mass.
- To understand the factors influencing bone mass accumulation during growth.
- To analyze the variability in areal BMD and its implications for fracture risk.
Summary:
- Peak bone mass, the total bone tissue at skeletal maturity, is vital for mitigating adult osteoporosis. Gender disparities in bone mass arise from prolonged male maturation, affecting bone size and cortical thickness.
- Significant variability exists in normal areal BMD values by the third decade, particularly at fracture-prone sites like the lumbar spine and femoral neck.
- While peak bone mass is traditionally thought to be reached in the mid-thirties, recent findings suggest completion by the late twenties in healthy Caucasian females.
Impact:
- Understanding peak bone mass development is essential for developing effective osteoporosis prevention strategies.
- Identifying factors influencing bone mass accumulation can lead to targeted interventions.
- The variability in BMD highlights the need for personalized risk assessment for osteoporotic fractures.