Association of vessel stiffness parameters and subclinical atherosclerosis and mass of bone tissue in postmenopausal women

Aim. To study relation of vessel wall stiffness parameters and subclinical atherosclerosis with mineral density of bone (MDB) in postmenopausal women.

Material and methods. Into a simultaneous study were included 107 patients at the age 45-82 y.o., being monitored in outpatient circumstances and signed informed consent. We did not include patients with any clinical sign of atherosclerosis, malignancies, secondary osteoporosis causing diseases, as those who had been taking drugs influencing calcium metabolism or vessel wall stiffness parameters. The intima-media complex (IMC), presence of absence of atherosclerotic lesions (AL) were studied via duplex scanning. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AI) were measured by application tonometry (SphygmoCor). MDB of the spine and of proximal femur was measured via double energetic x-ray absorptiometry. Statistics done with the software by Statistical Analysis System (USA).

Results. With the increase of menopause duration, there was gradual increase of PWV, AI, IMC and decrease of MDB. Maximal values of vessel stiffness and the highest MDB were found in 10 years after menopause. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 27 (25%) of patients, osteopenia in 38 (36%), normal MDB in 42 (39%). The risk of bone mass decrease and of osteoporosis development increased 3 times in higher values of PWV (≥10 m/s) (р<0,05), more than 4 times in AI ≥20% (р<0,05) and IMC thickness >9 mm (р=0,02) and in 2,45 times if AL in carotid arteries were found (p=0,03). During multifactor regression analysis, negative relation of AI, IMC thickness and MDB remained, though association with PWV and AL was not proven.

Conclusion. With the increase of menopause duration there was increase of vessel rigidity parameters PWV, AL, IMC thickness and bone mass loss. Decrease of MDB in postmenopausal women is associated with high values of PWV, IA, IMC thickness and AL amount, but as independent predictors of low bone mass were only AI and IMC.

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