Gender Differences in Normal Age-Dependent Patterns of Radial Bone Structure and Density

This cross-sectional study determines gender differences in the age-dependent patterns in radial trabecular bone structure using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. The nondominant forearrns of 145 adult volunteers (57 men) were scanned and indices of trabecular structure (connectivity index [CI]; mean hole size [H(A)]; and maximum hole size [H(M)]) were determined at the ultradistal radius. The images were also analyzed to determine bone density. Men had significantly higher values for CI (p < 0.01), significantly lower values for H(A) (p < 0.01), and significantly greater bone density (p < 0.001) than women. Age-dependent patterns in normal trabecular structure also displayed gender differences. CI decreased significantly with age in both men (-0.8%/yr, p < 0.05) and women &lpar-2.2%/yr, p < 0.001); however, the rate of change was more pronounced in women (p < 0.001). Similarly, the age-related increase in H(A) (+2.2%/yr) and H(M) (+1.1%/yr) was significant in women (p < 0.01) but not in men. In both sexes, when expressed as an annual percentage of change, indices of trabecular bone structure changed to a greater extent than indices of bone density. The assessment of structural indices may improve our ability to identify individuals at risk for fractures of the distal radius.

Gender Differences in Normal Age-Dependent Patterns of Radial Bone Structure and Density Journal Articles