Bone mineral density and uric acid level in postmenopausal women

   Aim: to study the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and uric acid (UA) level in postmenopausal women.

   Materials and methods. 263 women were examined (median age 62 [56; 67] years). A clinical examination and assessment of UA level were performed. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was done to assess BMD in standard regions of interest (ROI): lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck (FB) and total hip (TH) and trabecular bone score (TBS).

   Results. The frequency of hyperuricemia in postmenopausal women was 12.5 %, and in persons with osteoporosis (OP) – 10.1 %. UA correlated significantly with BMD and T-score in L1-L4 (r = 0.20 and r = 0.19, respectively) and TH (r = 0.18 and r = 0.16, respectively). No correlation was found between UA and TBS value (p > 0.05). Linear regression analysis adjusted for age showed a significant association between UA and BMD in all ROI (b*L1-L4 = 0.21, p = 0.001; b*FN = 0.14, p = 0.024; b*TH = 0.20, p = 0.002). In women with UA level ≥ 200 mmol/l, the BMD and T-score in all ROI were significantly higher, and the frequency of OP was lower compared with women with UA < 200 mmol/l (p < 0.05 for all comparison).

   Conclusion. Hyperuricemia was found in 12.5 % of postmenopausal women, and in 10.1 % of patients with OP. Significant differences in BMD, T-score, and OP frequency were found in all ROI, depending on the UA level. The mean value of TBS and the frequency of degraded bone microarchitecture did not differ depending on the UA level.

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