Low bone mineral density is not associated with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men

Summary This study for the first time investigates the association of bone mineral density (BMD) with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men. Our data show that the prevalence of low BMD is very high in men undergoing coronary angiography. However, neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis is associated with an increased prevalence of angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis. Introduction The association of low BMD with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men is unknown. Methods We enrolled 623 consecutive men undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of established or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). BMD was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. CAD was diagnosed in the presence of any coronary artery lumen narrowing at angiography; coronary stenoses with lumen narrowing ≥50% were considered significant. Results From the total study cohort (mean age of 64 ± 11 years), 207 patients (33.2%) had osteopenia and 65 (10.4%) had osteoporosis; at angiography, CAD was diagnosed in 558 patients (89.6%) and 403 (64.7%) had significant coronary stenoses. In multivariate logistic regression analysis neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis was associated with an increased prevalence of CAD (adjusted odds ratios (ORs) = 0.71 [95% confidence interval 0.40-1.23]; p = 0.222 and 1.03 [0.38-2.80]; p = 0.955, respectively) or with significant coronary stenoses (OR 0.74 [0.52-1.07], p = 0.112 and 0.72 [0.41-1.26]; p = 0.251, respectively). Also, as a continuous variable, BMD was not associated with angiographically diagnosed CAD. Conclusions The prevalence of low BMD is very high in men undergoing coronary angiography. However, low BMD is not associated with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men.