Outdoor air pollution and bone mineral density in elderly men - the Oslo Health Study.

UNLABELLED: The association between bone mineral density (BMD) and outdoor air pollution has not previously been explored. In this study including 590 elderly men, total body BMD was inversely associated with indicators of air pollution. Further studies to address any relation between air pollution and BMD and bone fracture are warranted.

INTRODUCTION

The relation between air pollution and bone mineral density (BMD) is unknown. Based on higher fracture rates and more osteoporosis in urban compared to rural populations, this exploratory study aimed at investigating the association between indicators of air pollution and BMD.

METHODS

In an osteoporosis sub-study of the population-based Oslo Health Study (2000-2001) BMD of total body and total hip (mg/cm(2)) was measured by DXA in 590 men 75-76 years old. Exposure to air pollution (particulate matter (PM(10) and PM(2.5)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2))) at each participant's home address was estimated from 1992 to 2001.

RESULTS

Air pollution was inversely associated with total body BMD, whereas no significant association was found for total hip BMD. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval] for low total body BMD (Z-score <or=-1) was per standard deviation increase 1.33 [1.05-1.70] for PM(2.5), 1.28 [1.00-1.63] for PM(10), and 1.24 [0.97-1.59] for NO(2). Stratified by smoking status the adjusted OR for PM(2.5) was 1.73 [1.02-2.95] in current smokers, 1.40 [1.03-1.90] in former smokers and 0.83 [0.43-1.58] in non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a weak but statistically significant inverse association between indicators of air pollution and total body BMD. Further investigations are warranted.