The Association between Hypercholesterolemia and Reduced Bone Density in the Femoral Head and Lumbar Spine Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Postmenopausal Women

Background & Objective: Some studies have suggested the association between the risk of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. So, we aimed to compare the serum lipid levels of postmenopausal women with reduced bone density to serum lipid levels of those with normal bone density. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all ۴۸-۶۵ year-old women, menopause for more than ۱ year prior to the study, who referred to Akbarabadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during September ۲۰۱۱-March ۲۰۱۳ were recruited. They underwent bone densitometry using the Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Method and were divided into two groups: normal density (control group) and low density (case group). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured. After ۱۴ hours, fasting serum levels of lipid, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and HbA۱C were checked. Hypercholesterolemia, as low high density lipoprotein (HDL) (<۳۵ mg/dL) and high cholesterol levels (>۲۰۰ mg/dL), were compared between the groups in addition to low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Results: The data of ۲۴۱ women were analyzed. The mean±SD levels of serum TC were ۱۹۲±۲۴.۷ and ۱۸۵±۱۹ mg/dL, in the case and control groups, respectively (P=۰.۰۰۹), and that of serum LDL levels were ۱۱۲±۲۰.۲ and ۱۰۵±۱۷ g/dL, respectively (P=۰.۰۰۵). There was a significant and negative correlation between the women’s Z-score and their cholesterol level (r=-۰.۱۶۲, P=۰.۰۱۲). Regression results revealed that the following factors significantly affected Z-score: BMI, LDL, TC, and duration of menopause. Conclusion: Serum LDL and TC levels were higher in menopausal women with reduced bone density, which indicates the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and reduced bone density.

Keywords:

Bone density , Hypercholesterolemia , Menopause , Osteoporosis