Bone Mineral Density in the Noninstitutionalized Elderly: Influence of Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Factors.

Ellen ,Erika Aparecida Silveira,Valéria Pagotto

doi:10.1155/2016/4946593

Ellen , Erika Aparecida Silveira + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4946593

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Abstract

Objective. Analysis of bone mineral density (BMD) in the elderly and its associated factors according to sex. Methods. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, with a random sample of 132 noninstitutionalized elderly people. Individuals who did not use diuretics were excluded. BMD was obtained from examination of total body densitometry and its association with sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, anthropometric, and body composition was verified. Results. Mean BMD for men was 1.17 ± 0.12 g/cm2 and for women was 1.04 ± 0.11 g/cm2. Higher education was associated with higher BMD values in men (p < 0.05). There was a reduction in BMD in the age group 75–79 years of age in women and over 80 years of age in men (p < 0.05). Underweight was associated with significantly low BMD for both sexes (p < 0.01), while normal weight was associated with low BMD in women (p < 0.001). Discussion. The elderly with low schooling and in older age groups are more probable to also present low BMD. Lower levels of body mass index also indicated towards low BMD.

Highlights

The bone mineral content (BMC) reaches its peak concentration before the third decade of life [1], and two factors can contribute to reduction: a low peak of bone mass and/or significant loss of BMC during adult life
Low bone mineral density (BMD) exposes the bone to fractures when these are submitted to small trauma, which could compromise the quality of life of the elderly, besides increasing the probability of morbidities and mortality [2]
Anthropometric and body composition parameters can be associated with low BMD, but findings remain controversial

Summary

Introduction

The bone mineral content (BMC) reaches its peak concentration before the third decade of life [1], and two factors can contribute to reduction: a low peak of bone mass and/or significant loss of BMC during adult life. Low bone mineral density (BMD) exposes the bone to fractures when these are submitted to small trauma, which could compromise the quality of life of the elderly, besides increasing the probability of morbidities and mortality [2]. In Brazil, 15.1% of women and 12.8% of men have already suffered low-impact fractures due to low BMD [3]. Low BMD and the consequent fractures have negative impacts on health services as assistance is onerous and requires specialized teams; for the elderly, the impact is more pronounced as life quality decreases and mortality increases [5]. Some studies disagree that adiposity indices protect low BMD [9, 10], while other authors consider these parameters as beneficial for low BMD [11]

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