Bone changes and carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Because of increased life expectancy, most postmenopausal women today suffer from osteoporosis and atherosclerotic diseases, which are currently considered unrelated diseases. Our study was aimed at analyzing relations between bone mineral density (BMD) and ultrasonographic assessment of carotid wall characteristics.

METHODS

The relation of carotid atherosclerosis to BMD was examined in 30 postmenopausal women aged 67 to 85 years. High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was performed, and the severity of carotid atherosclerosis was determined by plaque score. BMD was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

The correlation of plaque score with low total BMD was r = .549 (P < .002). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated significant correlation of plaque score with total cholesterol level and low total BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a relation between carotid atherosclerosis, one of the major causes of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, and osteoporosis.