Factors associated with low femoral neck bone mineral density in very elderly Chinese males

Objective: This study was designed to identify factors associated with the femoral neck bone mineral density (FNBMD) of the very elderly (aged 80 or more) Chinese males. Methods: A total of 1177 very elderly Chinese males were recruited into the study, and subjected to FNBMD, biochemical parameters, bone turnover markers, and serum sex steroids assays. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently related to FNBMD. Results: It was demonstrated that age (beta = -0.003, P = 0.035), concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, beta = -0.027, P = 0.009), serum beta-C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (beta-CTX, beta = -0.097, P < 0.001), and parathyroid hormone (PTH, beta = -0.001, P = 0.004) were negatively correlated with the FNBMD, while body mass index (BMI, beta = 0.009, P < 0.001), and serum estradiol (beta = 0.001, P = 0.038) were positively related to FNBMD in very elderly Chinese males. Conclusion: An integrated intervention should be implemented to increase the BMD of the very elderly males, with special attention to preventing and curing COPD, reducing serum beta-CTX and PTH levels, as well as keeping a proper BMI and serum estradiol level. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.