The relationship between bone mineral density and arterial stiffness in women.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and arterial stiffness as a preclinical atherosclerosis criterion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Carotid and femoral artery Doppler ultrasonography and arterial stiffness measurements were performed on 113 female patients referred for BMD measurements. RESULTS The cross-sectional compliance and cross-sectional distensibility of the carotid artery were positively correlated with the BMD of the Ward's triangle, the femoral neck, and the lower femoral neck; and the Ward's triangle, respectively. A negative correlation was found between the intima-media thickness of the femoral artery and the femoral elastic modulus with the BMD of L1, L12, L13, and L23; and the BMD of L1, L3, L13, L24, L34, the femoral neck, the lower femoral neck, and Ward's triangle, respectively. The cross-sectional compliance and cross-sectional distensibility of the femoral artery were positively correlated with the BMD of the femoral neck, upper femoral neck, lower femoral neck, Ward's triangle; and the BMD of the total femur and Ward's triangle, respectively. CONCLUSION The arterial stiffness measurements in women are correlated with BMD, regardless of age and other demographic factors.