title: On aging bone loss.
abstract: A survey was done of aging changes in compact and trabecular bone. During the past decade, noninvasive methods have demonstrated similar results for compact bone in large samples. Aging decreases of 3%/decade begin at about age 40 in both sexes and continue, but in women, an additional loss occurs after menopause, bringing their total rate of decrease to 9%/decade between ages 45 and 75. Results on trabecular bone loss are more variable, the majority indicating a slightly lower rate of loss (6% to 8% decade), beginning in young adulthood (20 to 40 years) in both sexes. These findings suggest that the common assumption about a large ongoing loss of trabecular bone after menopause may be erroneous. These assumptions are examined, as are the implications of the findings for calcium metabolism, anatomical correlations and fracture incidences.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens