Bone Mineral Density: Relationship with Serum Osteoprotegerin, Biophysical Profile and Menopausal Status in Indian Women

Abstract

Introduction: The Osteoprotegerin (OPG) cytokine network has been found to control bone homeostasis and is implicated in increased skeletal resorption, including several forms of osteoporosis. Aim: To establish the relationship of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) with serum Osteoprotegerin levels and the biophysical profile (waist to hip ratio and body mass index) and also to correlate it with menopausal status and risk of osteoporosis. Material and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 110 non-pregnant subjects: 40 perimenopausal, 40 post-menopausal women and 30 women in the reproductive age group. Bone mineral densitometry by Quantitative Computerized Tomography (QCT) at lumbar spine, Waist-to-hip (W:H) ratio and Body Mass Index (BMI) were computed. Results: Independent student’s t-test and Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient analyzed the parameters under study. Standard unimodal distribution curve determined the cut-off value of Osteoprotegerin for screening of osteoporosis risk. In the peri-menopausal age group (40-55 years), there were significant correlations of BMD with age and BMI (p=0.0857; p=0.458). The postmenopausal group (50-70 years) had significant correlations of OPG with age (p=0.030), W:H ratio (p=0.002) and BMI (p=0.005). An OPG concentration of 17.9 pmol/L could predict osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. BMD detected the maximum number of osteoporotic and osteopenic subjects within the postmenopausal group while least were encountered in the normal group. Conclusion: Osteoporosis was encountered in 60% of post-menopausal and 40% of peri-menopausal patients due to low oestrogen levels. Maximum derangement of BMD, waist to hip ratio and BMI were seen in overweight women. The significant correlations of BMD with BMI may be utilized for assessing osteoporosis in menopausal women.

Keywords

• body mass index
• bone mineral density
• waist-to-hip ratio