Correlated factors for osteopenia in elderly males

Objective To investigate the risk factors of osteopenia in the elderly males.Methods Bone mineral density was investigated by Quantitative ultrasound(QUS) in 217 males aged above 60 years who received routine physical examination in outpatient department.These subjects were divided into normal bone mass group,osteopenia group and osteoporosis group according to bone mineral density.All subjects answered the questionnaire,which contained the information on age,tea drinking,smoking,body mass,previous disease history,and medication history.Additionally,blood glucose,blood lipids and creatinine clearance rate were also measured.The correlationship between these factors and bone mineral density were investigated.Results Age,tea-drinking,hypertension,low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride level were correlated with bone mineral density(P=0.007,0.027,0.049,0.027 and 0.033 respectively). Tea-drinking and hypertension were independently correlated with bone mineral density(P=0.027 and 0.088 respectively).Conclusion Tea-drinking is significantly correlated positively with bone mineral density.Some cardiovascular risk factors have correlation with osteopenia in elderly males.It is strongly recommended that these patients should timely undergo bone mineral density measurement.