Comparison of Forearm and Spinal Bone in 129 Black and 130 White Postmenopausal Women. Aged 35-80 Years 572

Abstract

This study compared radial and spinal bone sites between two racial groups of similarly aged postmenopausal women. One hundred twenty nine black women(age=61.0±12.7 yrs) and 130 white women (age=62.7±8.4 yrs) volunteered for this study. Height and weight were obtained on Detecto Scales. Bone measurements (Bone Mineral Content, BMC; Bone Area, BA; and Bone Mineral Density, BMD) were obtained at 3 radial sites and at the mean of Anterior/Posterior Lumbar2-4 (L2-4) with Hologic QDR 2000 Bone Densitometer. Significant (p<.05) “t” tests results revealed: 1) white subjects (Ss) were taller (162.7 ±5.6 to 160.52±5.6 cm, respectively) but black Ss weighed more (83.3±21.2 to 65.0±12.3 kg, respectively); and 2) black Ss greater mean BMD values than white Ss at 3 radial sites (1/3 BMD=0.665±0.085 to 0.618±.076 g/cm2; Mid BMD=0.584±.077 to 0.543±0.068 g/cm2; and Ultra Distal BMD=.436±.077 to 0.400±0.066 g/cm2, respectively) at spinal site (L2-4=1.051±0.164 to.922±0.154 g/cm2, respectively). Significant (p<.05) one-way ANOVAs in each race across 4 age groups (<50, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+ yrs) revealed: 1) losses in BMD in both races, and 2) percentage loss of BMD slightly greater for white Ss than for black Ss at radial sites (1/3=15% to 13%; Mid=16% to 13%; and Ultra Distal=17% to 17%) but much greater loss at spinal site (L2-4=16% to 9%). It was concluded that black Ss had higher radial and spinal BMD values and lost bone similarly in the forearm but much slower in the spine than white Ss. Thus, black postmenopausal women become at risk for osteoporotic fractures of radius or spine at an older age than white women.