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Risk factors for low bone mass in healthy 40–60 year old women: A systematic review of the literature

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Abstract

Summary

Based on a systematic review of the literature, only low body weight and menopausal status can be considered with confidence, as important risk factors for low BMD in healthy 40–60 year old women. The use of body weight to identify high risk women may reduce unnecessary BMD testing in this age group.

Introduction

BMD testing of perimenopausal women is increasing but may be unnecessary as fracture risk is low. Appropriate assessment among younger women requires identification of risk factors for low BMD specific to this population.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of risk factors for low BMD in healthy women aged 40–60 years. Articles were retrieved from six databases and reviewed for eligibility and methodological quality. A grade for overall strength of evidence for each risk factor was assigned.

Results

There was good evidence that low body weight and post-menopausal status are risk factors for low BMD. There was good or fair evidence that alcohol and caffeine intake, and reproductive history are not risk factors. There was inconsistent or insufficient evidence for the effect of calcium intake, physical activity, smoking, age at menarche, history of amenorrhea, family history of OP, race and current age on BMD.

Conclusions

Based on current evidence in Caucasians, we suggest that, in healthy women aged 40–60 years, only those with a low body weight (< 70 kg) be selected for BMD testing. Further research is necessary to determine optimal race-specific discriminatory weight cut-offs and to evaluate the risk factors for which there was inconclusive evidence.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Osteoporosis Canada for coordinating this project.

No sources of support were received for this project.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Osteoporosis Research Program, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    E. J. Waugh & M.-A. Lam

  2. Osteoporosis Research Program and Department of Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    G. A. Hawker

  3. Institute of Population Health, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    J. McGowan

  4. Department of Medicine and Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    J. McGowan

  5. Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    A. Papaioannou

  6. Department of Medicine, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    A. M. Cheung

  7. Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, ON, Canada

    A. B. Hodsman

  8. Departments of Medicine and Radiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    W. D. Leslie

  9. Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    K. Siminoski

  10. Osteoporosis Research Program and Department of Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    S. A. Jamal

  11. Osteoporosis Research Program, Women’s College Hospital, 76 Grenville St, 8th fl E, Rm 812C, Toronto, ON, Canada , M5S 1B2

    E. J. Waugh

Authors
  1. E. J. Waugh
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  2. M.-A. Lam
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  3. G. A. Hawker
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  4. J. McGowan
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  5. A. Papaioannou
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  6. A. M. Cheung
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  7. A. B. Hodsman
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  8. W. D. Leslie
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  9. K. Siminoski
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  10. S. A. Jamal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. J. Waugh.

Additional information

For the Perimenopause BMD Guidelines Subcommittee of Osteoporosis Canada

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Waugh, E.J., Lam, MA., Hawker, G.A. et al. Risk factors for low bone mass in healthy 40–60 year old women: A systematic review of the literature. Osteoporos Int 20, 1–21 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0643-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0643-x

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