Association of Decreased Bone Density and Hyperlipidemia in a Taiwanese Older Adult Population

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine if a combination of 2 abnormal lipid profiles revealed a stronger association with low bone mass than a single blood lipid abnormality alone.

Methods

This study enrolled 1373 participants who had received a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan from January 2016 to December 2016 in a medical center in southern Taiwan. Logistic regression was used to examine association between lipid profiles and osteopenia or osteoporosis after adjusting for covariates.

Results

Compared to people with total cholesterol (TC) < 200 mg/dL, those with TC ≥ 240 mg/dL tended to have osteopenia or osteoporosis (OR 2.61; 95% CI, 1.44-4.71). Compared to people with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 130 mg/dL, those with LDL-C ≥ 160 mg/dL tended to develop osteopenia or osteoporosis (OR 2.13; 95% CI, 1.21-3.74). The association of increased triglyceride and decreased bone mass was similar, although not statistically significant. Those with the combination of TG ≥ 200 mg/dL and TC ≥ 240 mg/dL had a stronger tendency to have osteopenia or osteoporosis (OR 3.51; 95% CI, 1.11-11.13) than people with only one blood lipid abnormality. Similarly, people with TG ≥ 200 mg/dL and LDL-C ≥ 160 mg/dL had a stronger tendency to have osteopenia or osteoporosis (OR 9.31; 95% CI, 1.15-75.42) than people with only one blood lipid abnormality, after adjustment for the same covariates.

Conclusion

Blood levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG were associated with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Results indicate that individuals aged older than 50 years with abnormal lipid profiles should be urged to participate in a bone density survey to exclude osteopenia or osteoporosis.