A total of 72 postmenopausal patients presenting no risk factors for cardiovascular disease nor osteoporosis, were studied. The study evaluated total serum cholesterol and fractions and bone mass by densitometry of the lumbar spine and femur using a Lunar-DPX. There was no association between lipid profile variables and bone mineral density, except for high density lipoprotein (HDL), which showed an inverse correlation (p = 0.001). Multiple regression showed that total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg% had a positive association with BMD (p = 0.026). In addition, the ratio between LDL and HDL (Castelli 2 index) showed a negative association with BMD (p = 0.002). The diagnostic validation test showed that all lipid profile variables had low sensitivity and specificity as indicators for osteoporosis. The conclusions were that lipid profile variables did not show a significant association with bone mass and could not be used as indicators for bone mineral density.
Menopause; Osteoporosis; Cardiovascular Disease
