Association between inflammatory markers and bone mineral density: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2007–2010

Abstract

Purpose Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are acknowledged as novel inflammatory markers. However, studies investigating the correlation between inflammatory markers and osteoporosis (OP) remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the relationship between NLR, MLR, PLR and bone mineral density (BMD). Methods A total of 9054 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the study. MLR, NLR and PLR were calculated for each patient based on routine blood tests. Given the complex study design and sample weights, the relationship between inflammatory markers and BMD was evaluated through weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression and smooth curve fittings. In addition, several subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the outcomes. Results This study observed no significant relationship between MLR and lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.604). However, NLR was positively correlated with lumbar spine BMD (β = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.006, P = 0.001) and PLR was negatively linked to lumbar spine BMD (β = − 0.001, 95% CI: − 0.001 to − 0.000, P = 0.002) after accounting for covariates. When bone density measurements were changed to the total femur and femoral neck, PLR was still significantly positively correlated with total femur (β = − 0.001, 95% CI: − 0.001, − 0.000, P = 0.001) and femoral neck BMD (β = − 0.001, 95% CI: − 0.002, − 0.001, P < 0.001). After converting PLR to a categorical variable (quartiles), participants in the highest PLR quartile had a 0.011/cm2 lower BMD than those in the lowest PLR quartile (β = − 0.011, 95% CI: − 0.019, − 0.004, P = 0.005). According to subgroup analyses stratified by gender and age, the negative correlation with PLR and lumbar spine BMD remained in males and age < 18 groups, but not in female and other age groups. Conclusions NLR and PLR were positively and negatively correlated with lumbar BMD, respectively. And PLR might serve as a potential inflammatory predictor of osteoporosis outperforming MLR and NLR. The complex correlation between the inflammation markers and bone metabolism requires further evaluation in large prospective studies.

Association between the atherogenic index of plasma and bone mineral density among adult women: NHANES (2011–2018)

“…studied 290 postmenopausal women in Finland and found a connection between poor bone density, adipokines and vascular calcification ( 45 ). Second, systemic inflammation is also associated with levels of TG, HDL-C, and bone metabolism ( 46 , 47 ). For example, Huang et al.…”

“…For example, Varri et al studied 290 postmenopausal women in Finland and found a connection between poor bone density, adipokines and vascular calcification (45). Second, systemic inflammation is also associated with levels of TG, HDL-C, and bone metabolism (46,47). For example, Huang et al found that HDL-C levels were lower and TG levels were higher in the group with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), compared to the healthy control group; Ruaro et al found that BMD and trabecular scores were lower in SLE patients than in healthy matched controls (48,49).…”