Predictors of low bone mass in postmenopausal Japanese women: a questionnaire-based study

Abstract

Background The burgeoning costs of nursing care and medical treatment have become a serious problem for Japan, a country with an aging population and declining birthrate. Disease prevention and control of runaway health care costs are two important issues. We are interested in osteoporosis in the elderly. Thus, we aimed to establish predictive factors of low bone mass or fracture in postmenopausal elderly women by means of a simple questionnaire. Methods Subjects were 107 postmenopausal Japanese women. All data in the present study were collected in 2006. The calcaneus stiffness index (SI) was determined by ultrasound bone densitometry. Urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD), a marker of bone resorption, was measured. Factors related to bone loss and fracture were investigated by means of a questionnaire and tested by regression analysis and analysis of variance. ResultsThe SI correlated significantly with age, years since menopause, weight, and the DPD level. Change in body weight did not influence the SI, but lumbar pain, height loss, and stoop did influence the SI. The SI was significantly low in subjects who had already suffered a fracture. Body mass index (BMI) was the strongest predictor of the SI. Conclusion Low bone mass or fracture may be predicted in part with a simple questionnaire that addresses personal factors related to bone health.

The influence of physical activity on the bone mass through the bone metabolism in premenopausal adult Japanese women

“…The DPD was also detected as a significant predictor in a multiple linear regression analysis. These results are consistent with results in a study about the elderly published by Omasu et al (2009). Furthermore, the amount of energy expenditure from physical activity during each subject's high school years was associated with DPD, and it is therefore believed that there may be a mechanism by which physical activity during one's high school years lowers DPD concentrations, thereby suppressing bone resorption and increasing bone mass.…”