Evaluation of the relationship between bone mineral density and parameters of subclinical atherosclerosis in a prospective study of postmenopausal women

Aim. To study the relationships between vascular wall parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) over a 10-year period. Material and methods . The study included 93 menopausal women without clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis at the baseline stage, who underwent outpatient examination twice with an interval of 10 years. Measurement of pulse wave velocity and augmentation index (AI) using applanation tonometry, carotid ultrasound to determine the intima-­media thickness (IMT) and register plaques, and measurement of BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were performed at both visits. Results. Over a 10-year period, an increase in AI, IMT, and plaque count (p<0,001) and a decrease in BMD were noted in the femoral neck and proximal femur (p<0,001), but not in the spine. Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for factors identified at the baseline visit (age, postmenopause duration, body mass index, hypertension, and cardiovascular and osteoporosis therapy) showed that AI, IMT, and plaque presence independently contributed to the decrease in bone mass. Pulse wave velocity and the number of atherosclerotic plaques did not act as independent factors in the decrease in BMD. Conclusion . Over a long period of time, a stable negative association was maintained between AI, IMT, the plaque presence, and bone mass, which did not depend on fracture and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as the use of antiresorptive and cardiovascular therapy.