Osteoporosis and genetic influence: a three-generation study

Abstract

Summary:We have studied 27 triads of mother, daughter and grandmother for possible genetic influence on distal and proximal forearm bone density, measured by single photon absorptiometry.We found a significant correlation of bone density at the proximal forearm between the mothers and grandmothers (r = 0.499, P < 0.01). There was also a weak correlation between proximal forearm bone densities of mothers and daughters (r = 0.327, P < 0.1).Significant correlations were found between the three generations for grip strength, pedometry, height and triceps skinfold thickness. There was also significant correlation between mother and grandmother for alcohol intake. There was no correlation for contraceptive pill use, smoking, dietary calcium intake, body weight or body mass index.The study concludes that, although there are similarities in bone mineral content between the three generations, genetic factors cannot be conclusively proven to be the major determinant of bone density. Lifestyle and environmental factors may have a bearing on achieving the peak bone mass and subsequent development of osteoporosis.

Familial Resemblance of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Calcaneal Ultrasound Attenuation: The BMD in Mothers and Daughters Study

“…We observed significant motherdaughter correlations in BMD, consistent with other parent-offspring studies, (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) which did not change substantially with adjustment for potential covariates, such as age and anthropometry. Daughters, particularly premenopausal daughters, of mothers with ''normal BMD'' had greater BMD at all sites than daughters of mothers who had established osteoporosis.…”

“…(10,48) Hence, at least part of the familial association in BMD may reflect the heritability of body composition and anthropometry. The genes regulating body composition and BMD, however, may be the same (43,44) or different, (45,46) and research continues to explore the complex relationship between body composition and bone mass.…”

“…shown to aggregate in families, including smoking, (40) alcohol intake, (10,41) lifetime milk consumption, (40) and physical activity. (40,42) However, we observed weak motherdaughter correlations in lifestyle characteristics, suggesting that the maternal influence on lifestyle factors did not contribute to the familial association in BMD among this sample of older women and their adult daughters.…”

“…Low bone mass is associated with increased risk of fracture but is considered a necessary, not a sufficient, predisposing factor. (3) Previous studies have reported significant and relatively consistent parent-offspring correlations in bone mineral density (BMD) (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and have shown that a family history of osteoporosis and/or fracture is associated with an increased risk of low BMD and fracture. (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) Some, (14,16) but not all, (6,13,(17)(18)(19) of these studies confirmed a family history of osteoporosis or fracture via medical records or radiographs.…”

“…(5,7,10) Nearly half of the studies limited BMD measurements to one key skeletal site (13,16,20) or failed to examine those sites that are most susceptible to disabling and catastrophic fracture, namely the hip and spine. (4,6,10,12,21,22) Furthermore, little is known about the heritability of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters of bone, one of which, broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), has been shown to be predictive of fracture independent of BMD. (23,24) QUS parameters may reflect qualitative and architectural properties of bone separate from BMD which may have different modes of inheritance.…”