Predicting osteoporosis with body compositions in postmenopausal women: a non-invasive method

BackgroundThe prevalence of osteoporosis is rising steadily as the aging population increases. Bone mineral density (BMD) assessment is a golden standard to establish the diagnosis of osteoporosis. However, the accessibility and radiation exposure limited its role in community screening. A more convenient approach for screening is suggested.MethodsA total of 363 postmenopausal women over the age of 50 were included in this study and assessed with the body composition [including fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and basal metabolic rate (BMR)] and BMD. Normal distributions and correlation coefficients among variables were calculated using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Pearson's correlation analysis, respectively. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the area under ROC curves (AUC) was determined to obtain the optimal cutoff values of the body composition variables for osteoporosis prediction.ResultsThe correlation coefficient of FFM, FM, FM ratio, and BMR with femur neck T-score was 0.373, 0.266, 0.165, and 0.369, respectively, while with spine T-score was 0.350, 0.251, 0.166, and 0.352, respectively (p < 0.01 for all). FFM, FM, and BMR showed an optimal cutoff value of 37.9kg, 18.6kg, and 1187.5kcal, respectively, for detecting osteoporosis.ConclusionsThe present study provided a model to predict osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, and the optimal cutoff value of FFM, FM, and BMR could be calculated in the Asian population. Among these factors, BMR seemed a better predictor than others. The BMR could be a target for exercise intervention in postmenopausal women for maintaining or improving BMD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02936336. Retrospectively registered on13 October 2016.

Automated summary

The study focused on assessing the relationship between body composition variables and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, providing optimal cutoff values for detecting osteoporosis. The findings suggest that BMR may be a better predictor than other factors and could be targeted for exercise intervention to maintain or improve BMD.