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Cigarette smoking and bone mineral density in the elderly
1MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Cigarette smoking is linked to lower bone mineral density (BMD) in older adults, particularly at the lumbar spine. This study found smoking significantly reduces BMD in both men and women, with effects not explained by lifestyle differences.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Bone Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a significant health concern in aging populations.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) is a key indicator of bone health and fracture risk.
- Lifestyle factors, including smoking, are suspected to influence BMD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly men and women.
- To quantify the impact of smoking on BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Involved 224 men and 186 women aged 61-73 years.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck.
Main Results:
- Current smokers had significantly lower lumbar spine BMD compared to never-smokers (men: 7.3% reduction; women: 7.7% reduction).
- Each decade of smoking was associated with a reduction in lumbar spine BMD (0.015 g/cm2) and femoral neck BMD (0.011 g/cm2 in men).
- The adverse effect of smoking on BMD was more pronounced at the lumbar spine and appeared stronger in men than women.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking has an adverse effect on bone mineral density (BMD) in older adults.
- The reduction in BMD due to smoking is most evident at the lumbar spine.
- The findings suggest smoking negatively impacts bone health independently of other lifestyle factors.