Characteristics of regional bone mineral density and soft tissue composition in patients with atraumatic vertebral fractures

Abstract

To clarify the characteristics of total body and regional bone mineral density (BMD) and soft tissue composition in patients with atraumatic vertebral fractures (AVF), we measured total body and regional BMD, lean mass, and fat mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sixty-four women, aged 55-75 years, were divided into two groups: women with AVF (fracture group, n = 30) and women without AVF (nonfracture group, n = 34). Mean BMD of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae (L2-4BMD), regional BMD, and soft tissue mass were measured. Regional BMD was measured in the head, arms, legs, ribs, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvis. Lean mass and fat mass of head, arms, legs, and trunk were measured. L2-4BMD, total body BMD, and BMD of the lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and pelvis of the fracture group were significantly lower than those of the nonfracture group (P < 0.001). Total lean and fat mass of the fracture group tended to be lower than that of the nonfracture group. The results suggest that BMD of weight-bearing bones, except for that of the bones of the legs of the fracture group, is significantly lower than that of the nonfracture group, and that total body lean and fat mass may be a predictor for AVF.

Racial differences in body fat distribution among reproductive-aged women

“…In addition, Travison et al reported that lean mass influence is the likely factor that maintains bone mass in case of increased body size (28). Further, low lean mass is associated with fracture located at osteoporotic sites (28–31). Thus, enhancing lean mass-mediated osteogenesis during the reproductive years may reduce the osteoporosis-related fracture in later life.…”

The relationship between body composition and fracture risk using the FRAX model in central south Chinese postmenopausal women

“…Fat mass was also lower in fracture patients compared with control participants, but the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, Takata et al . found that the total lean and fat mass of the fracture group in their study tended to be lower than that of the nonfracture group.…”

“…It has been suggested that low fat mass or low lean mass, particularly at the extremes, may adversely affect the bone mineral content of major fracture sites, including the hip, the spine and the radius . In several studies, it has been shown that both lean mass and fat mass are lower in those with definite fractures than in nonfracture groups . For lean mass, the association with bone mass may be due to mechanical load forces, while for fat mass, both the weight‐bearing and nonweight‐bearing effects, including the hormonal metabolism of adipocytes, may play a role in bone metabolism .…”

“…10 In several studies, it has been shown that both lean mass and fat mass are lower in those with definite fractures than in nonfracture groups. [11][12][13] For lean mass, the association with bone mass may be due to mechanical load forces, while for fat mass, both the weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing effects, including the hormonal metabolism of adipocytes, may play a role in bone metabolism. 14 To explore the relative effects of fat mass and lean mass on fracture risk, we studied the relationship between fat mass, lean mass and predicted fracture risk using the FRAX model.…”

Unilateral chronic insufficiency of anterior cruciate ligament decreases bone mineral content and lean mass of the injured lower extremity

“…Regional bone area (cm 2 ) and BMD (g/cm 2 ) was measured in the head, upper extremities, lower extremities, ribs, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and pelvis. The lean mass (g), fat mass (g) and %Fat (%) of the head, upper extremities, lower extremities and trunk was measured with a tissue bar (11,12). In our preliminary study, there was no significant difference of bone area, BMD, BMC, lean mass, fat mass and %Fat between dominant and non-dominant legs.…”