Early bone mineral density decrease is associated with FSH and LH, not estrogen

Background: It remains unclear whether gonadotropins or estrogen is responsible for early bone mineral density (BMD) decrease in Chinese women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 368 healthy adult women, aged 35-60 years. We measured BMD, calculated BMD decrease rates (BDRs) and assessed serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E-2) levels. Results: BDR was significantly negatively correlated with serum FSH (r= -0.429 to -0.622, all p=0.000) and LH (r= -0359 to -0.526, all p=0.000). After adjustment for age and body mass index, the negative correlations of serum FSH and LH with BDR persisted, but there was no overall correlation between serum E-2 and BDR. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis suggested that serum FSH is a negative determinant of BDR. Serum E-2 seems to be a positive determinant of BDR in a few parts of the skeleton. Conclusions: The decrease of BMD during the menopause is associated with FSH and LH levels, rather than E-2 in Chinese women. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.