Age-related decline in bone density among ethnically diverse older men.
We compared rates of BMD decline in older men of diverse ethnic background. The rate of bone loss was statistically equivalent between men of African and Caucasian descent.


BACKGROUND
Race differences in peak bone mineral density (BMD) are well established, but the magnitude of bone loss among non-white men has not been well characterized. Our objective was to compare and contrast the rates of decline in BMD with aging among older men of different race/ethnic groups.


METHODS
The rate of decline in hip BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR-4500 W) with an average follow-up of 4.6 years in 3,869 Caucasian, 138 African American, 145 Asian, and 334 Afro-Caribbean men aged ≥ 65 years (Mean ages: 73 ± 5, 70 ± 4, 72 ± 5, 71 ± 5 years, respectively).


RESULTS
The annual rate of decline in BMD at the femoral neck was -0.32%, -0.42%, -0.09%, and -0.44%/year for Caucasian, African American, Asian, and Afro-Caribbean men, respectively (p < 0.05 for Caucasian versus Asian). Although men of African ancestry have higher peak BMD than Caucasians, rates of decline in BMD with aging appear to be statistically equivalent in our study. In contrast, Asian men experienced a slower rate of decline in BMD compared with Caucasians and African Americans.


CONCLUSIONS
More studies are needed to better define the natural history of and factors associated with bone loss among non-white men.
Sheu
Y
Y
Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. sheuy@edc.pitt.edu
Cauley
J A
JA
Wheeler
V W
VW
Patrick
A L
AL
Bunker
C H
CH
Ensrud
K E
KE
Orwoll
E S
ES
Zmuda
J M
JM
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology*; D044466:Asian People; D044383:Black People; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006615:Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044469:Racial Groups; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American