Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (osteoarthrosis). Anthropometric distinctions.

Anthropometric and skin-fold characteristics were studied in 27 women with symptomatic osteoporosis of the postmenopausal type and in 25 women with generalized osteoarthritis. In several aspects, important and significant differences were found between both groups. It was shown that the osteoporotic women were shorter, more slender, and had less fat, muscle girth, and strength, while the women with osteoarthritis, although of comparable age and skeletal size, were more obese and had more fat, muscle mass, and strength. These findings support the idea that osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are two different disease entities and not simple phenomena of aging and wear and tear.