title: Sex differences in the relationship between bone mineral density and tibial cartilage volume.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although there is a well-established sex difference in the prevalence and severity of OA, the mechanism for this is not clear. The aim of this study was to examine the potential role of BMD and BMC in explaining gender differences in knee cartilage volume.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 153 subjects aged 25-60 years, 81% female, were recruited. MRI was performed of the dominant knee. Cartilage volume was measured using validated methods. Total body BMD and content was measured using DXA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total body BMC and BMD was significantly associated with medial cartilage volume in both sexes. However, the associations were stronger in men for BMC (B = 0.52; 95% CI 0.21, 0.83; P for difference = 0.001) and BMD (B = 2242; 95% CI 443, 4041; P for difference = 0.05). Similar results were obtained in the lateral tibial compartment. No significant association was obtained between total body BMD and BMC and patella cartilage volume in either men or women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this relatively healthy population, we found a positive relationship between total body BMD and BMC and tibial cartilage volume in the medial and lateral compartments. These relationships were stronger in men than women. Thus, the results of this study may provide some insight into the sex differences in knee cartilage volume, which may in turn facilitate our understanding of the pathogenesis of OA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Anita E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Wluka
authors.forename: Miranda L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Davies-Tuck
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Boyd J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Proietto
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Flavia M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cicuttini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013977:Tibia