This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hui, S. L. Articles by Johnston, C. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hui, S. L. Articles by Johnston, C. C., Jr.

Bone Loss at the Femoral Neck in Premenopausal White Women: Effects of Weight Change and Sex-Hormone Levels

Department of Medicine (S.L.H., L.Z., M.J.E., M.P., C.M., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202; Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, and Indiana University Center on Aging Research (S.L.H., A.J.P.), Indianapolis, Indiana 46202; and Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medicine (C.L.), University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Siu L. Hui, Ph.D., Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1001 West 10th Street, RG6, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202. E-mail: . shui{at}iupui.edu

Abstract

To investigate whether bone loss occurs in the premenopause, we measured the bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone area in the spine (L2–L4), femoral neck, and total hip, as well as the sex hormone levels of 130 healthy premenopausal white women (age, 31–50 yr) at least three times over 1–9 yr. We found an increase in all three bone measurements at the spine but no change in volumetric density. Neither could we detect any age-related changes in any of the three measurements in the total hip. In contrast, we detected a significant decrease in femoral neck BMD over time, due to a decrease in BMC and increase in bone area. Greater loss in femoral neck BMD was associated independently with weight loss and lower levels of estrone sulfate or E2. Separating the women into those with FSH spikes (>20 IU/liter) and women with consistently low FSH, we found the latter group had smaller decrease in BMD and that the decrease was due less to a decline in BMC and more to an increase in bone area. In summary, femoral neck BMD decreases in premenopausal women, particularly those with lower levels of estrogens resulting from slowing ovarian function despite regular menses. This decrease can be offset by more rapid weight gain.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Forsmo, J. Aaen, B. Schei, and A. Langhammer What Is the Influence of Weight Change on Forearm Bone Mineral Density in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women? The Health Study of Nord-Trondelag, Norway Am. J. Epidemiol., November 1, 2006; 164(9): 890 - 897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Sowers, M. Jannausch, D. McConnell, R. Little, G. A. Greendale, J. S. Finkelstein, R. M. Neer, J. Johnston, and B. Ettinger Hormone Predictors of Bone Mineral Density Changes during the Menopausal Transition J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2006; 91(4): 1261 - 1267. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Emaus, G. K. R. Berntsen, R. M. Joakimsen, and V. Fonnebo Longitudinal Changes in Forearm Bone Mineral Density in Women and Men Aged 25-44 Years: The Tromso Study: A Population-based Study Am. J. Epidemiol., October 1, 2005; 162(7): 633 - 643. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. S. Gozansky, R. E. Van Pelt, C. M. Jankowski, R. S. Schwartz, and W. M. Kohrt Protection of Bone Mass by Estrogens and Raloxifene during Exercise-Induced Weight Loss J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2005; 90(1): 52 - 59. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Muir, G. Romalo, L. Wolf, W. Elger, and H.-U. Schweikert Estrone Sulfate Is a Major Source of Local Estrogen Formation in Human Bone J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2004; 89(9): 4685 - 4692. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Cifuentes, J. P. Advis, and S. A. Shapses Estrogen Prevents the Reduction in Fractional Calcium Absorption Due to Energy Restriction in Mature Rats J. Nutr., August 1, 2004; 134(8): 1929 - 1934. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Gourlay and S. A. Brown Clinical Considerations in Premenopausal Osteoporosis Arch Intern Med, March 22, 2004; 164(6): 603 - 614. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]