The bone density of female twins discordant for tobacco use

Abstract

Smoking is recognized as a risk factor for vertebral, forearm, and hip fractures. Since bone density is an important determinant of bone strength, we conducted a study to ascertain whether a deficit in bone density is associated with tobacco use and, if so, to identify the responsible mechanisms. We conducted a cross-sectional study of bone density at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck and shaft in 41 pairs of female twins (21 monozygotic pairs), 27 to 73 years of age (mean, 49), who were discordant for at least 5 pack-years of smoking (mean, 23; maximum, 64). Bone density was measured by dual-photon absorptiometry. The difference in bone density between the members of a pair was expresse..