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| Authors | Y Muscat Baron M P Brincat R Galea N Calleja |
| Abstract | Objectives: To assess correlations of Intervertebral disc height with bone density and demographic data of postmenopausal women. Methods: Two hundred and fifty seven women were collected randomly from a large directory in a data base of a bone density unit. Results: 257 Women were divided in five groups according to the menopausal/menstrual status. Forty seven (47) menopausal women were on HRT, 77 women were untreated menopausal women, 21 women were on bisphosphonates, 30 women were on calcium supplements, 44 women were premenopausal and 38 women had confirmed vertebral fractures. All women with fractures had low T-scores in the osteoporotic range. Age and weight difference were noted across groups and statistical. Correction was made for these differences. Age showed the most consistent negative correlation with disc height throughout all the groups of women. Correlations were also borne out with the height and weight variables. Bone density showed a significant correlation with disc height ( R= 0.499 P< 0.0001). The premenopausal group showed the most significant correlation between the disc height and T-score (R= 0.47 P < 0.01) followed by the untreated menopausal group (R= 0.25 P < 0.05). Conclusion: Disc height showed strong correlation with age, weight and height. The premenopausal group maintained a significant correlation with bone density. Disc degeneration appears to be significantly influenced by the age and weight status and this may partially explain the observed height loss in postmenopausal women. The correlation in the premenopausal women suggests a close coupling between bone density and disc height. With the onset of the menopause this coupling mechanism may be disrupted increasing the risk for osteoporosis and subsequent fracture. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | bone density, osteoporosis, vertebral fracture, intervertebral disc |