title: Osteoporosis and vascular calcification in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Objectives To estimate the correlation between osteoporosis and vascular calcification in postmenopausal women and the influence of calcium/vitamin D supplements on vascular calcification. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed including 29 women with osteoporosis (15 not taking supplements) and 18 age-matched, non-osteoporotic women. They were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors and blood tests, lateral X-ray of lumbar spine (assessment of abdominal aorta calcification, AAC) and carotid ultrasound (increased intima media thickness (iIMT) or calcified plaques) were performed. Results In univariate analysis, osteoporotic women were 16 times more likely to develop AAC (odds ratio (OR) 15.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-135.4) and seven times more likely to develop iIMT (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.8-25.4) compared to normal individuals. The odds of developing AAC and iIMT were increased each year after menopause (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.2 and OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.3, respectively) and with aging (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.1-1.47 and OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.3, respectively). Calcified plaques were significantly correlated with osteoporosis (p = 0.014). In multivariate analysis, osteoporosis was an independent risk factor for AAC (OR 13.3, 95% CI 1.3-134.4) and iIMT (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.1-19.9). Low doses of supplements did not appear to affect vascular calcification (p = 0.6). Conclusions Osteoporosis is associated with increased calcification of the abdominal aorta and carotids. Low doses of supplements do not appear to cause any increase in vascular calcification in osteoporotic women.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , General Hospital of Argolidos , Argos , Greece ;
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Lampropoulos
authors.affiliation: b Department of Radiology , General Hospital of Argolidos , Argos , Greece ;
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kalamara
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , General Hospital of Argolidos , Argos , Greece ;
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konsta
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , General Hospital of Argolidos , Argos , Greece ;
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
authors.affiliation: b Department of Radiology , General Hospital of Argolidos , Argos , Greece ;
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papadima
authors.affiliation: b Department of Radiology , General Hospital of Argolidos , Argos , Greece ;
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.affiliation: b Department of Radiology , General Hospital of Argolidos , Argos , Greece ;
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andrianopoulou
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine , National University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Vlachoyiannopoulos
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017698:Postmenopause; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014807:Vitamin D
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Osteoporosis; calcium/vitamin D supplements; cardiovascular disease; vascular calcification