Community-dwelling Postmenopausal Japanese Women Research Articles

Association between physical performance and bone mass in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women: The Unzen study.

Low bone mass is an independent risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. We examined the association between physical performance and bone mass using quantitative ultrasound in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 524 community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women who were not being administered osteoporosis medications. Physical performance was assessed on the basis of grip strength, chair stand time, and functional reach. The stiffness index was measured as a quantitative ultrasound parameter for heel bone mass. Physical performance, assessed by grip strength, chair stand time, and functional reach, and the stiffness index significantly decreased with age (both p<0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that grip strength (p = 0.001), chair stand time (p = 0.004), and functional reach (p = 0.048) were significantly associated with the stiffness index after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, drinking, and exercise. Physical performance was significantly associated with heel bone mass in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women.

Association between fat mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis and bone mass by quantitative ultrasound in relation to grip strength and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in postmenopausal Japanese women: the Unzen study

BackgroundWhether fat mass or lean mass affects bone mass in postmenopausal women is controversial. This study aimed to explore the association between body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and bone mass measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in postmenopausal women in Japan.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study, The Unzen Study, on 382 community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women (mean (standard deviation) age: 68.2 (7.2) years) who participated in periodic health examinations. The stiffness index (SI) was measured using QUS, and body composition (e.g., fat mass and muscle mass) was measured using BIA. Grip strength was measured. Fasting blood samples were collected, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured. Data on current smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and any comorbidities (heart disease, lung disease, stroke, or diabetes mellitus) were collected.ResultsThe SI increased with increasing quartiles of fat mass and muscle mass (both p for trend < 0.001), respectively. There were positive correlations between SI and log (25(OH)D) or grip strength. Fat mass significantly correlated with grip strength. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that higher fat mass was independently and significantly associated with higher SI after adjusting for age, height, comorbidity, current smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, log (25(OH)D), log (TRACP-5b), log (PTH), and grip strength (p = 0.001). In contrast, no association was observed between muscle mass and SI.ConclusionsFat mass, but not muscle mass, was a significant determinant of SI in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women.

Association between self-reported walking speed and calcaneal stiffness index in postmenopausal Japanese women

BackgroundOsteoporosis and related fractures, a worldwide public health issue of growing concern, is characterized by compromised bone strength and an increased risk of fracture. Here we show an association between self-reported walking speed and bone mass among community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women aged 50 years and older.Design; cross-sectional studySetting and Participants; The survey population included 1008 postmenopausal women 50–92 years of age residing in rural communities.MethodsSelf-reported walking speed was ascertained by asking the participants: “Is your walking speed faster than others of the same age and sex?” to which participants responded “yes (faster)” or “no (moderate/slower).” Calcaneal stiffness index was measured.ResultsWomen with a faster self-reported walking speed were younger and had a lower BMI, higher stiffness index, and higher grip strength than women with a slower walking speed. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age, BMI, grip strength, comorbidity, current smoking, and alcohol drinking status showed a significant association between faster self-reported walking speed and higher calcaneal stiffness index (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that questionnaires of walking speed may be useful for predicting bone mass and that a fast self-reported walking may benefit bone health in postmenopausal women.

Association between gait speed and bone strength in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women

It is unclear whether gait speed can be used to predict bone status or to diagnose osteopenia or osteoporosis. The aim of our study was to determine whether the measurement of physical performance predicts bone strength in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women. We measured speed of sound (SOS), weight bearing index (WBI), maximum or usual gait speed, step length of each gait, single leg balance time with or without eyes closed, and grip strength among 1,061 postmenopausal women (mean age ± standard deviation 68 ± 8 years). After adjustments for age and body mass index, SOS was associated with maximum or usual gait speed and with step length during maximum speed gait, but not with WBI, grip strength, single-leg balance time with or without eyes closed, or step-length time during usual gait speed. When subjects were divided into quartile groups based on WBI (a marker of lower extremity strength), significant associations between usual or maximum gait speed and SOS were found only in the lowest and second lowest groups (first and second quartiles). Finally, analysis of sensitivity and specificity at various cut-off points of maximum gait speed to predict decreased SOS showed relatively high specificity compared with the corresponding sensitivity among those with low gait speed. Maximum gait speed together with WBI may be a useful and specific test to predict bone status in postmenopausal older women.

Metacarpal bone mineral density, body mass index and lifestyle among postmenopausal Japanese women: relationship of body mass index, physical activity, calcium intake, alcohol and smoking to bone mineral density: the Hizen-Oshima study.

The present study was designed to investigate the influence of modifiable risk factors (body weight and lifestyle) for bone loss on bone mineral density (BMD). We examined age-specific changes in metacarpal BMD, and its associations with body mass index and lifestyle among 532 community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women. Measurements of the second metacarpal BMD were obtained from the hand radiographs using computer-assisted radiographic absorptiometry. Body height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Physical activity index was calculated using validated questionnaire. Daily calcium intake and amount of ingested alcohol were estimated by semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Current smoking status was obtained by questionnaire. Metacarpal BMD decreased significantly with increasing age. Simple correlation analysis indicated that metacarpal BMD correlated significantly with BMI and physical activity index. On the other hand, metacarpal BMD did not correlate with calcium intake and alcohol drinking. Metacarpal BMD in current smokers was not different from that in nonsmokers. Multiple regression analysis showed that increasing age was associated with decreased metacarpal BMD and greater BMI increased metacarpal BMD. However, physical activity, calcium intake, alcohol drinking and current smoking were not significant determinants of metacarpal BMD. Our findings suggest that maintenance of adequate body mass (prevention for leanness) is important for prevention of postmenopausal bone loss.