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Associations Between Bone Mineral Density, Grip Strength, and Lead Body Burden in Older Men
Author(s) -
Khalil Naila,
Faulkner Kimberly A.,
Greenspan Susan L.,
Cauley Jane A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.12603
Subject(s) - medicine , quartile , bone mineral , grip strength , femoral neck , prospective cohort study , cohort , preferred walking speed , bayesian multivariate linear regression , multivariate analysis , multivariate statistics , physical therapy , linear regression , gerontology , confidence interval , osteoporosis , statistics , mathematics
Objectives To study the association between blood lead concentration ( BP b) and bone mineral density ( BMD ), physical function, and cognitive function in noninstitutionalized community‐dwelling older men. Design Cross‐sectional study. Setting U niversity of P ittsburgh clinic, P ittsburgh, P ennsylvania. Participants N on‐ H ispanic C aucasian men aged 65 and older (N = 445) recruited as a subset of a prospective cohort for the O steoporotic F ractures in M en S tudy. Measurements BP b was measured in 2007/08. From 2007 to 2009, BMD (g/cm 2 ) was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. At the same time, physical performance was measured using five tests: grip strength, leg extension power, walking speed, narrow‐walk pace, and chair stands. Cognitive performance was assessed using the modified M ini‐ M ental S tate E xamination and the T rail‐ M aking T est P art B . Participants were categorized into quartiles of BP b. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent relationship between BP b, BMD , and cognitive and physical function. Results Mean BP b ± standard deviation was 2.25 ± 1.20 μg/dL (median 2 μg/dL, range 1–10 μg/dL). In multivariate‐adjusted models, men in higher BP b quartiles had lower BMD at femoral neck and total hip ( P ‐trend < .001 for both). Men with higher BP b had lower age‐adjusted score for grip strength ( P ‐trend < .001), although this association was not significant in multivariate‐adjusted models ( P ‐trend < .15). BP b was not associated with lumbar spine BMD , cognition, leg extension power, walking speed, narrow‐walk pace, or chair stands. Conclusion Environmental lead exposure may adversely affect bone health in older men. These findings support consideration of environmental exposure in age‐associated bone fragility.