Osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases

Objective. To assess possible relationship between osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases in women of postmenopausal period considering clinical and laboratory data. Material and methods. 98 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 70 years were included (50 in osteoporosis group and 48 in control group). Diagnosis of osteoporosis was confirmed by densitometry (values for spine and proximal femur less than -2,5 SD and more than -1 SD by T criterion respectively). Main risk factors of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases were assessed with questionnaires, biochemical measures of lipid and mineral metabolism were evaluated. ECG, EchoCG, carotid arteries and lower extremities vessels Doppler ultrasonography and densitometry were performed. Results. In most cases significant differences between groups were not revealed. Women of control group had later beginning of menopause (50 vs 48 years, p=0,005) and more children in families (2 vs 1, p=0,01). Differences on other risk factors were not revealed. Mineral and lipid metabolism measures, data of ECG and Echo CG did not differ between groups. Doppler ultrasonography (comparison of intima-media complex thickness) showed differences between groups only for right common carotid artery (0,75 vs 0,78, p=0,02), right common carotid artery bulb (0,96 vs 1,03, p=0,02) and left femoral artery (0,81 vs0,75, p=0,04). Conclusion. Cross-sectional cohort study did not reveal definite relationship between osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Further complex studies with clinical, instrumental and biochemical methods are necessary.