Related factors in bone mineral density of lumbal and femur in natural postmenopausal women

Objective: To assess possible factors affecting the bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 267 cases with spontaneous menopause within 3 years of period was performed. None of the enrolled cases were taken any hormone replacement therapy and/or treatment for osteoporosis. BMD measurements were done in lumbal vertebral (L1-L4) and left femur (neck, intertrochanteric and ward triangle) via dual energy X-ray absorbtiometry (DEXA) method, yielding corresponding T-scores of above-mentioned areas. In addition, age at menarche, parity, menopausal age, duration of postmenopausal state, lactation, physical activity, cigarette smoking, dietary calcium intake, oral contraceptive use and body mass index (BMI) were determined. Results: There were no relationships between BMD and age at menarche, parity, menopausal age, lactation, physical activity, smoking, dietary calcium intake and oral contraceptive use. Two associated factors with BMD were BMI and time since menopause. BMI was found to be positively and time since menopause was negatively correlated with BMD of both lumbal region and femur. Conclusions: BMD changes and its related factors should be kept in mind during postmenopausal years. Therefore, adequate peak bone mass and related life style measures should be achieved to confront osteoporosis-related symptoms and its consequences. © Springer-Verlag 2005.