title: Relation between intima-media thickness and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Controversy exists regarding the relationship between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA), presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaques and bone mineral density (BMD) evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study at Second Internal Medicine Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the IMT (left and right CCA and mean IMT) and T-score (lumbar spine L2-L4, femoral neck and total hip) in 100 postmenopausal women (mean age 64.5 years). The presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque and osteoporotic vertebral fractures was also noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IMT in the left and right CCA and mean IMT were significantly associated with T-score measured for the lumbar spine L2-L4, femoral neck and total hip, with lower T-score, in the osteoporotic group than in the normal and osteopenic groups (P < 0.05). IMT had a significantly negative correlation with the lumbar spine T-score and femoral neck T-score; and mean IMT with lowest T-score. Mean IMT (P < 0.001), high blood pressure (P = 0.005) and osteoporotic vertebral fractures (P = 0.048) showed statistical significance regarding the likelihood of developing atherosclerotic plaque.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women referred for routine osteoporosis screening, the relationship between CCA, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis can be demonstrated using either cortical or trabecular BMD. Vertebral fractures may be considered to be a likelihood factor for atherosclerotic plaque development.
authors.affiliation: "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. dfodor@umfcluj.ro
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fodor
authors.forename: Cosmina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bondor
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albu
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muntean
authors.forename: Siao-pin
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poanta
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Craciun
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012383:Romania; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography