Comparative evaluation of serum levels of main minerals and postmenopausal osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between serum main minerals and postmenopausal osteoporosis.

STUDY

DESIGN

A total of 728 postmenopausal women were included in this study. Women were separated into two groups according to presence or absence of osteoporosis (OP). BMD was measured in total femur (TF), femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (L1-L4) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Risk factors for OP were recorded by using a structured questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women's blood were collected and serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus were measured.

RESULTS

Low serum copper levels were significantly associated with OP according to BMD values for TF, FN and L1-L4. There was a significant relationship between low serum zinc levels and OP for L1-L4 spines. Low iron serum levels were also significantly associated with OP in BMD measurements of TF. Low serum magnesium levels had significant association with OP of L1-L4 spines and TF. Serum levels of calcium, ionized calcium, potassium, sodium and inorganic phosphorus were not associated with OP.

CONCLUSIONS

In postmenopausal women, the low serum levels of copper, zinc, iron and magnesium appear to be an important risk factor for OP.