We determined the relationship between bone mass and age, anthropometric variables, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and serum and urine biochemical variables in 77 normal white women (aged 41-86, mean = 67) living in their own homes. A total of 74 women were postmenopausal. Skeletal status was assessed in all subjects by x-rays of the hand with measurement of the mean combined cortical thickness (CCT) of the second metacarpal bones. In 53 women, bone mineral content of the radial shaft (RMBC) was also measured by single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) and lumbar bone mineral density (LBMD) was measured by dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA). Serum and urine biochemical variables were measured under standardized conditions on the sixth and seventh days of a controlled diet. There was a strong positive correlation between Ccr and bone mass. Although our subjects showed the expected linear decline in Ccr with age, we found that the relationship between Ccr and bone mass in the radius and lumbar spine was independent of age. On the other hand, the relationship between Ccr and CCT was not independent of age. We concluded that the relationship between Ccr and lumbar and radial bone mass is probably indicative of a relationship between glomerular filtration rate and bone mass, although this requires validation with a noncreatinine method for measurement of glomerular filtration rate. Age per se does not appear to be a cause of declining lumbar bone mass after the menopause.

A double-blind, one-year study was made of the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy in senile and/or arteriosclerotic dementia. Seven such hospital patients (average age, 83.4 years) were treated with warfarin (sample oral dosage, 2.5 mg daily, monitored according t o the prothrombin time). Seven other such patients (average age, 86.4 years) served as controls, and were given placebo tablets. All 14 subjects were assessed with respect to 25 variables reflecting cognitive functions and mental changes, before treatment, and at six and twelve months after starting treatment. The results were evaluated statistically. In the anticoagulant

We determined the relationship between bone mass and age, anthropometric variables, and serum and urine biochemical variables in 77 normal white women and 37 women with primary osteoporosis, 25 of whom had one or more vertebral compression fractures. Skeletal status was assessed by radiography of the hands with measurement of combined cortical thickness of the second metacarpal bones (CCT) or measurement of radial and lumbar bone density, or by both methods. Radial bone mineral content (RBMC) was measured by single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) and lumbar bone mineral density by dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA). Serum and urine biochemical variables were measured on days 6 and 7 of a controlled diet. In this mixed population of normal and osteoporotic women, we confirmed the strong positive correlation between creatinine clearance (Ccr) and bone mass that we previously reported in normal women. Multiple regression analysis showed that the relationship between Ccr and bone mass of the radius and lumbar spine was independent of age and body stature. Ccr was significantly lower in the 25 osteoporotic women with vertebral crush fractures than in age-matched normal women, and Ccr had predictive value for bone mass in individual subjects. The basis for the relationship between Ccr and bone mass has not been established. We excluded diminished production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D as a result of declining renal function as a possible mechanism.

The impairment of peripheral vibratory perception with advancing age is well known. This was originally assessed with a tuning fork (1, 2); latterly more quantitative techniques have been employed using electrical vibrometers (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). When studying the effect of age on vibratory perception, it is necessary to exclude all other known factors which may affect this measurement. Although reports in the literature have stated that the subjects tested were free of such factors, insufficient emphasis has been placed on the selection of subjects with completely normal extremities. The present study, therefore, was undertaken to measure peripheral vibratory perception in such a group of aging persons.An electrical vibrometer was designed which had a frequency of 125 cycles per second. The amplitude of vibration was varied by altering the voltage applied to the vibrator, which consisted of an electromagnetic recording head carrying a blunt needle 1 inch long. The vibratory perception threshold was read in arbitrary "vibration units", 100 units being the maximum obtainable from the machine. (See Appendix for technical description and diagram of the vibrometer). SUBJECTSOne hundred normal men were studied, ranging in age from 22 to 85 years. These were selected on the basis of history, physical examination, oscillometry and neurologic examination, and were considered to have completely normal extremities. Blood sugar determinations were performed on all of the older men, both fasting and after a meal. Results of serologic tests for syphilis were negative in all cases. None of the subjects had anemia. Particular care was taken to rule out the following: pernicious anemia, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuritis, peripheral nerve injuries, other neurologic and psychiatric disorders, syphilis, vitamin deficiencies, and peripheral occlusive vascular disease of all types. METHODSVibratory perception thresholds were measured in the hands and feet. For measurement in the hand, the subject was seated comfortably at a table with the hand resting on a slotted board through which the vibrator protruded. The index and fifth fingers were measured, the mid-point of the palmar aspect of the distal phalanx being applied to the vibrator. For measurement in the lower extremity, the foot was rested on a chair, and the vibrator was applied to the mid-point of the plantar surface of the distal phalanx of the big toe. In all cases, the purpose

No abstract