Bone mass density and bone metabolism marker are associated with progression of carotid and cardiac calcified plaque in Chinese elderly population.

Unlabelled: Osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases often coexist in the same elderly individuals. Does this suggest some potential correlation between the two diseases? Low bone mass and change of bone biomarker are associated with a higher risk of carotid and cardiac calcification plaques.

Introduction: Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism marker may contribute to the progression of carotid and cardiac arterial calcifications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low bone mass and the change of bone biomarker are associated with the prevalence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque in elderly Chinese.

Methods: We conducted a five-year prospective study. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning. Carotid and cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) was conducted using a 64-multidetector row scanner to assess carotid and cardiac arterial plaque at baseline and during follow-up.

Results: Of 1571 community residents over 60 years of age, 184 (11.7%) subjects developed carotid calcified plaque, 510 (32.5%) subjects developed cardiac calcified plaque and 97 (6.2%) subjects developed co-existence calcified plaques in carotid and cardiac arteries. After adjustment for age and all relevant confounders, Q1, Q2 quartile of BMD, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OC), and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were associated with increased risk of calcified plaques.

Conclusion: This study suggested that lower BMD and change of bone metabolism biomarker were associated with a higher risk of carotid and cardiac calcified plaque development.