Bone density determinants in elderly women: A twin study

Abstract

This cross‐sectional twin study examined the influence of constitutional, lifestyle, and genetic factors on bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly women. BMD, at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle, total hip, and total forearm, total body bone mineral content (BMC), and lean mass and fat mass were measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry in 69 volunteer female twin pairs (37 monozygotic [MZ], 32 dizygotic [DZ]) aged 60–89 years. Height and weight were measured. Medical history and lifetime tobacco and alcohol use were determined by questionnaire. In terms of within‐pair differences, lean mass was independently associated with BMD at all sites. In contrast, fat mass was not..