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High bone mass linked to greater fat mass in women
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The literature suggests that BMI is elevated among patients with high bone mass. In a recent analysis, researchers from the United Kingdom investigated this association and found that high bone mass is related to higher fat mass, reflecting a causal pathway.
“We found that in high bone mass, women fat mass is elevated, with a particular tendency toward central adiposity. High bone mass cases are thought to have a genetic predisposition to their raised bone mass density, suggesting a causal pathway whereby raised bone mass density leads to increased fat mass. Several observations support a primary bone phenotype with secondary fat effects,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers examined 219,088 DXA scans to study 153 patients with unexplained high bone mass (HBM) in a case-control study. Additionally, 138 first-degree relatives (51 with HBM) and 39 spouses were also included in the study. Those with HBM tended to be older than family control patients and were more commonly women and postmenopausal women who had undergone estrogen replacement therapy.
Among women, fat mass was inversely related to age in controls (P=.01) but not in those with HBM (P=.96). Additionally, those with HBM displayed a fat mass 8.9 kg greater than controls (P<.001). Further data indicate that increased fat mass in men with HBM was less noticeable (P=.03).
Compared with controls, the researchers found that lean mass was greater among women with HBM (3.3 kg; 95% CI, 1.2-5.4). However, they also found a 4.5% lower percentage of lean mass among those with HBM (P<.001).
In women with HBM, data also indicate osteocalcin was lower compared with controls (2.8 mcg/L; 95% CI, 0.1-5.5).
Researchers conclude that HBM is associated with greater fat mass, independent of bone turnover. However, further studies are needed to determine other metabolic-related outcomes.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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