Evaluation of changes in bone mass and subclinical atherosclerosis indices in asymptomatic women over a 10-year period

Aim. To study the changes of vascular stiffness, subclinical atherosclerosis, bone mineral density (BMD) and to identify cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) manifestation over a 10-year period.

Material and methods. We analyzed 93 menopausal women without clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis at the study start, who underwent outpatient examination twice at the National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine with an interval of 10 years. All women were surveyed for risk factors, fractures, and CVDs. In addition, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index were measured using applanation tonometry, carotid artery ultrasound to determine the intima-media thickness and register plaques, and BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results. During the follow-up period, among the CVD risk factors, only the prevalence of hypertension increased by 32,2% (p<0,001). By visit 2, an increase in the augmentation index and intima-media thickness, the number of plaques (p<0,001), as well as a decrease in BMD in the femoral neck by 5,3% and in the proximal femur by 3,2% (p<0,001), but not in the spine, were noted. CVD were detected in 8 (9%) women.

Conclusion. This retrospective and prospective study demonstrated a significant increase in subclinical atherosclerosis, vascular stiffness, with the exception of pulse wave velocity, and a decrease in bone mass in postmenopausal women over a 10-year follow-up period.

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