Association between Homocysteine and Bone Mineral Density according to Age and Sex in Healthy Adults.
BACKGROUND
There are several studies about the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and bone mineral density (BMD), but the results are varied, and the studies are limited in Korea. In our study, the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and BMD by part according to age and sex is investigated.


METHODS
From March 2012 to July 2015, the 3,337 healthy adults who took a medical examination were recruited. Subjects filled in the self-recording type questionnaire and physical examination, blood test, BMD of lumbar spine and femur were measured. After sorting by aging (≤49 year old, 50-59 year old, ≥60 year old) and sex, the results were adjusted with age and body mass index (BMI) and the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and BMD by lumbar spine and femur was analyzed by multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
As results of analysis, with the adjustment with age and BMI, all age groups of men had no significant relationship between log-converted serum homocysteine levels and BMD. In women aged under 50, there were significantly negative relationships at lumbar spine (β=-0.028, P=0.038), femur neck (β=-0.062, P=0.001), and total hip (β=-0.076, P<0.001), but there was no significant relationship in other age groups (50-59 year old and ≥60 year old).


CONCLUSIONS
As the serum homocysteine levels increased in women aged under 50, BMD of the lumbar spine and femur decreased, and correlations between homocysteine and BMD were different by sex and age.
Department of Family Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.
Joo Il
JI
Kim
Department of Family Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.; Graduate School of Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
Ji Hyun
JH
Moon
Department of Family Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.; Graduate School of Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
Hye Won
HW
Chung
Department of Family Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
Mi Hee
MH
Kong
Department of Family Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
Hyeon Ju
HJ
Kim
Bone density; Homocysteine; Osteoporosis