The significance of height loss in postmenopausal women. The results from GO Study.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was the assessment of clinical significance of height loss (HL) in female population.

MATERIAL: The study cohort was recruited from GO Study. Data from 1735 postmenopausal women aged over 55 years (mean age 68.15 ± 8.16 years) were analysed.

METHODS

Data on clinical risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures were collected. Bone densitometry at hip was performed using a device Prodigy (GE, USA). Height was established using stadiometer and was compared with maximal height in early adulthood.

RESULTS

The mean HL was 3.9 ± 3.2 cm. HL was significantly higher in women with fractures in comparison with those without fracture (4.9 ± 3.6 cm vs 3.4 ± 2.8 cm; P < .0001). HL increased with the number of fractures, and was 4.1 ± 3.2 cm, 5.3 ± 3.5 cm and 6.7 ± 4.1 cm in women with one, two and three or more fractures respectively. Women with spine fractures presented with HL higher in comparison with all the other subjects (6.3 ± 4.0 vs 3.6 ± 2.9 cm, P < .0001) and women with all non-spine fractures (6.3 ± 4.0 vs 4.0 ± 3.0 cm, P < .0001). In women with steroid use and falls, HL was significantly greater than in subjects without this factor. HL correlated significantly with age and BMI (positively) and current height (negatively). Mean T-score for FN BMD was -1.75 ± 0.9 and correlate significantly with HL (r = -.21, P < .0001). For the HL threshold above 4 cm, the fracture incidence was above 50%.

CONCLUSION

Height loss value is a simple and very informative measure describing fracture risk and functional status in postmenopausal women. HL exceeding 4 cm is related to fracture probability above 50%.