Study of Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Bone Mineral Density on Post Menopausal Chronic Low Back Pain Patients Under Oriental Medicine Treatment

Abstract

This study was performed from April, 2007 to August, 2012 with female patients who were being treated for and suffering from chronic lumbar pain for periods of 6 months and over. The 53 female patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis by having a T-Score of <-2.5 in a bone mineral density(BMD), as well as showing signs of metabolic syndrome. This was deduced by taking measurements of blood pressure, carrying out blood-chemical examinations and physical measurements such as weight, height, waist measurement and body mass index(BMI). After 5 minutes rest, the patient’s blood pressure, height and weight were measured. BMI was calculated using the equation BMI = weight (Kg)/height (m²). The patients had their blood taken in a fasted state(more than 12hours), the fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol were measured. The average BMD and T-score were calculated by measuring BMD(mg/cc) of L1-L3 using QCT. In a correlation analysis of the physical examinations, clinical character of metabolic syndrome and T-score, the result showed that age and T-score had a negative correlation(r=-0.699, p<0.01) as did triglyceride and T-score (r=-0.047, p<0.01), where as weight(r=0.239, p<0.05) and height(r-=0.329, p<0.01) and T-score had a positive correlation. There was no significant correlation with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and T-score. This study showed that there are significant correlations with age, weight, height and T-score. But there are no significant correlations with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and T-score and that these did not influence bone density. Further research with more subjects is required to determine whether there is a correlation of clinical character of metabolic syndrome and T-score.