Bone quantity and quality in past populations

Agarwal, Sabrina C.; Grynpas, Marc D.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(199612)246:4<423::aid-ar1>3.0.co;2-w

Cited by 74 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…Indeed, post-menopausal women are characterised by loss of trabecular bone at rates two-to three-fold greater than age-matched controls (Riggs, 1991). Similar results were reported in other studies (Garn, 1970;Ruff & Hayes, 1982, 1983Martin et al, 1985;Lees et al, 1993;Kneissel et al, 1994;Agarwal & Grynpas, 1996;Mays, 1996Mays, , 2000Mays et al, 1998;Brickley & Howell, 1999;McEwan et al, 2004). Different studies have investigated the issue of age in relation to osteoporosis, in contemporary (Levis & Altman, 1998) and in ancient populations (Brickley & Howell, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…In addition, Funk et al (1995) reported that BMD was decreased in the femoral neck and the spine with pregnancy in young adult females. Bone loss in earlier populations is often found in both sexes, whereas significant bone loss in females often occurs amongst the young age categories (Agarwal & Grynpas, 1996). However, this earlier age of onset of osteoporosis was not detected among the ancient Egyptian females in this study.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 71%

“…Moreover, post-menopausal osteoporosis is characterised by insufficient intestinal calcium transport (Caniggia & Nuti, 1991). The nutritional hypothesis has been widely used to explain the finding of a high proportion of osteoporosis in both ancient (Martin et al, 1985;Eaton & Nelson, 1991;Agarwal & Grynpas, 1996) and modern (Gupta, 1996) population groups. The relationship between osteopenia and under-nutrition has been pointed out in clinical settings (Schurch et al, 1998;Ponzer et al, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Osteoporosis among ancient Egyptians

Zaki¹,

Hussien²,

El-Banna³

2008

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Osteoporosis is a condition of reduced total bone mass per unit volume for the normal ratio of bone mineral to bone matrix. The present work deals with the investigation and evaluation of osteoporosis in ancient Egyptians of two social classes from the Old Kingdom in Giza. The aims of this study are to provide information about the lifestyle and health status of ancient Egyptians, and to detect the causes of osteoporosis. The material consisted of 74 skeletons (43 males and 31 females) from two different social classes (high officials and workers). Skeletons were excavated from the Giza Necropolis and belonged to the Old Kingdom (2687-2191 BC). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) at different skeletal sites (radius, fourth lumbar vertebra and head of femur). Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to show the microarchitectural structure of the bone. Results showed a significant decrease of BMD values in old age groups compared with younger ones in both sexes. In addition, SEM of trabecular bone in osteoporotic cases demonstrated that the horizontal trabeculae were more affected than the vertical trabeculae. Comparison between high officials and workers revealed that osteoporosis was more frequent in male workers than in male high officials, and in female high officials than in female workers. An elevated prevalence of osteoporosis among male workers may be related to the effects of nutritional stress and excessive workload, while a sedentary lifestyle may have played a role in the occurrence of osteoporosis among female high officials. Moreover, osteoporosis occurs earlier and more frequently in females than males, which may be related to the hormonal changes that accompany the menopause in females. This study emphasises the importance of gender and lifestyle factors in influencing the severity of osteoporosis. Age-related bone loss at most skeletal sites is noted in both sexes of ancient Egyptians.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 71%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Osteoporosis among ancient Egyptians

Zaki¹,

Hussien²,

El-Banna³

2008

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…Quantitative trait loci have been identified in mice that separately control morphological compensation and mineralization [29] similar to the genetic factors proposed in our model that control the adaptation of the periosteal and endosteal surfaces and of the ash content. Our model predicts an increase in average ash content values over the hunter-gatherer period, and either a level or decreasing trend over the agricultural and modern phases, but there is limited data on bone quality in prehistoric and historic populations to compare our findings with, perhaps due to the potential alteration in the composition of the material during internment or fossilization [30]. However, there is evidence to suggest that bone mineral content values may have evolved since the early Neolithic age [31] and since the middle ages [32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Smaller, weaker, and less stiff bones evolve from changes in subsistence strategy

2010

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“…The expected length of life among ancient Egyptians in the Dynastic Period was approximately 36 years [15] and the onset of menopause and pattern of bone loss were likely different [1]. Tools and weapons, for example, maces and battle-axes in stone and copper, may have caused a different clinical picture at the time of The Edwin Smith Papyrus [25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of Fractures of the Humerus in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome: An Historical Review

Brorson¹

2009

Clinical Orthopaedics &Amp; Related Research

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Fractures of the humerus have challenged medical practitioners since the beginning of recorded medical history. In the earliest known surgical text, The Edwin Smith Papyrus (copied circa 1600 BC), three cases of humeral fractures were described. Reduction by traction followed by bandaging with linen was recommended. In Corpus Hippocraticum (circa 440-340 BC), the maneuver of reduction was fully described: bandages of linen soaked in cerate and oil were applied followed by splinting after a week. In The Alexandrian School of Medicine (third century BC), shoulder dislocations complicated with fractures of the humerus were mentioned and the author discussed whether the dislocation should be reduced before or after the fracture. Celsus (25 BC-AD 50) distinguished shaft fractures from proximal and distal humeral fractures. He described different fracture patterns, including transverse, oblique, and multifragmented fractures. In Late Antiquity, complications from powerful traction or tight bandaging were described by Paul of Aegina (circa AD 625-690). Illustrations from sixteenth and seventeenth century surgical texts are included to show the ancient methods of reduction and bandaging. The richness of written sources points toward a multifaceted approach to the diagnosis, reduction, and bandaging of humeral fracture in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

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Bone quantity and quality in past populations

Cited by 74 publications

References 80 publications

Osteoporosis among ancient Egyptians

Osteoporosis among ancient Egyptians

Smaller, weaker, and less stiff bones evolve from changes in subsistence strategy

Management of Fractures of the Humerus in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome: An Historical Review

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