M Brincat1, R Galea, Y M Baron, A Xuereb. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Luke's Hospital Medical School, University of Malta, Gwarda Mangia, Malta.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare bone mineral density measurements (BMD), pyridinium crosslink levels and pyridinium crosslink levels in untreated and hormone treated postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study comparing biophysical (BMD) and biochemical (pyridinium crosslink and PCICP) parameters in a group of untreated postmenopausal women (n = 145) to a group of postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (n = 92). RESULTS: Untreated postmenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women on HRT had higher Osteoblastic and Osteoclastic activity. Procollagen I C-end terminal peptide (PCICP) was 11.3% lower in the women on HRT compared to controls whilst crosslinks were 27.2% lower than in controls. This seems to indicate that women on HRT had a bone balance that was higher compared to the control group (15.9%). The difference in bone density of L2-L4 between the two groups was (16.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study seems to indicate that postmenopausal women receiving HRT readjust their bone remodelling so that although osteoblastic function is reduced, there is a much greater deduction in osteoclastic function and this results in an overall higher bone mass observed in the BMD of women on HRT.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare bone mineral density measurements (BMD), pyridinium crosslink levels and pyridinium crosslink levels in untreated and hormone treated postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study comparing biophysical (BMD) and biochemical (pyridinium crosslink and PCICP) parameters in a group of untreated postmenopausal women (n = 145) to a group of postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (n = 92). RESULTS: Untreated postmenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women on HRT had higher Osteoblastic and Osteoclastic activity. Procollagen I C-end terminal peptide (PCICP) was 11.3% lower in the women on HRT compared to controls whilst crosslinks were 27.2% lower than in controls. This seems to indicate that women on HRT had a bone balance that was higher compared to the control group (15.9%). The difference in bone density of L2-L4 between the two groups was (16.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study seems to indicate that postmenopausal women receiving HRT readjust their bone remodelling so that although osteoblastic function is reduced, there is a much greater deduction in osteoclastic function and this results in an overall higher bone mass observed in the BMD of women on HRT.