Gender-specific modifiable factors of bone stiffness in Korean population: the KGRC study

Abstract

[한글]

[영문]

Background & Purpose: Bone stiffness, one of the quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters, has been a recent focus for evaluation and prediction of osteoporosis and fracture risks worldwide. This study was performed to investigate the modifiable factors of bone stiffness in a large sample of the Korean population. Methods: Data were drawn from the Korean Genomic Rural Cohort (KGRC) Study, which is an ongoing population-based study of adults from five regions. A total of 7,066 participants (2,970 men and 4,096 women) aged 40 to 70 years who has never been treated with osteoporosis and/or previous fractures were analysed. Index of bone stiffness was expressed as a percentage of young normal values, which was measured by calcaneus QUS device (Lunar Model A-1000 Plus, Lunar Co., Madison, WI, USA). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to estimated the potential risk factors of bone stiffness. SPSS for Windows (version 12.0) was used for all statistical analyses. Results: At all ages, mean bone stiffness is lower in women than in men and the annual decreasing rate of bone stiffness in women was 2.6-fold of that in men (0.447% per year, and 0.171% per year, respectively). In multivariate regression analysis of men aged 40 to 59, BMI, time spent exercise and dietary protein intake were significantly correlated with bone stiffness, and men at aged 60 to 70, BMI, lifetime tobacco smoking and time spent exercise were significantly correlated with bone stiffness. Meanwhile, in women, BMI, time spent exercise and dietary protein intake in premenopausal, and years since menopause, BMI, estrogen replacement therapy and number of parity in postmenopausal were significantly correlated with bone stiffness. Conclusions: The level of bone stiffness is poor among adults in rural Korean and it was associated with many risk factors for further osteoporosis and fractures.

Early lifestyle modifications, such as healthy diet, optimal weight control, avoid smoking and exercise are recommended interventions.