Search

Introduction: The onset of the menopause entails numerous changes, both physical and mental, in the functioning of the bodies of women. Moreover, the early menopause increases the risk of occurrence of many civilization-related diseases. Major factors contributing to health deficits include lowered bone mineral density and sarcopenia, which can result in serious functional limitations and the acceleration of ageing processes in the body. The aim of this study was to determine how the menopause onset age is linked with bone mineral density and the strength of selected muscles of the limbs and the trunk. Material and Methods . 756 women aged 50-80 years were subjected to tests. The subjects were divided into three groups: (I) from 50 to 59 years, (II) from 60 to 69 years, and (III) from 70 to 79 years. Each of the women specified the age when her final menstrual period occurred. On this basis, groups of women with (1) the early menopause-before the 50th year of life-and (2) with the late menopause-after the 50th year of life-were distinguished. Bone mineral density (BMD), dominant hand grip strength, knee extensor and flexor strength, and functional upper and lower body muscle strength were determined in each of the women., Results: The test results indicate differences in levels of muscle strength and BMD between the 50-year-old early- and late-menopausal women. The late-menopausal women score better motor ability test results and higher BMD values. The differences decrease in the groups of 60-year-old women, whereas the 70-year-old early- and late-menopausal women score similar results., Conclusions: A higher percentage of women with a lowered bone mass and a lower strength level was found in the group of early-menopausal subjects. The rate of decline in hand grip strength, the functional efficiency of the upper and lower limbs, and BMD is faster in the late-menopausal women, whereby the two groups of 70-year-old women score similar test results., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Jarosław Fugiel et al.)

Objective: The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and tooth loss in conjunction with periodontal disease is not clear. The suggested effects include alteration in bone remodeling rates as well as the multifaceted etiology of edentulism. There is also a question if other body-related variables besides BMD, such as body composition, may be associated with tooth number and general periodontal health. The aim of this study was to evaluate if tooth number and marginal periodontal status are associated with body composition and BMD in a sample of elderly women., Materials and Methods: The study involved 91 postmenopausal women. Data included basic anthropometric characteristics, body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis, and BMD analysis at the distal end of the radial bone of the nondominant arm via peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A dental examination was performed to assess tooth number, periodontal pocket depth (PD), and gingival bleeding., Results: In nonosteoporotic women, a significant positive correlation was found between BMD and lean body mass, total body water, and muscle mass. The indicators of bone metabolism correlated negatively with PD. Such relationships did not appear in osteoporotic women. In both groups, basic anthropometric characteristics and body composition were significantly and positively correlated with PD and bleeding on probing., Conclusion: The results suggest that body composition and BMD are not significantly correlated with tooth number and gingival bleeding.

The aim of this paper is to establish the optimal values of the body mass index (BMI) which would indicate the most favourable preservation of the bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. The material consists of the data of 369 healthy women aged between 40 and 88 years (mean age 67.84, SD=6.70) inhabitants of Wrocław, which were followed up between 2001 and 2006. The absolute measure of bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), expressed in g/(100mm(2)) and was transformed to T-score values. According to the value of BMI, the women were divided into eight groups, the reference group with value between 18.0 and 21.9kg/m(2) and seven other groups beginning with the value 22.0 with a 2-point interval. Postmenopausal status was defined according to the occurrence of menstruation within the last 360 days. The women with osteopenia and osteoporosis were pooled together and comprised the risk group, whereas the other women comprised the normal group (T-score values above -1.0). The adjusted odds ratio showed the highest value for intervals between 24.0 and 25.9 units of BMI, and the lowest value for interval 26.0-27.9 units of BMI. The Youden index showed the lowest value in the 26.0-27.9BMI kg/m(2) interval. For our sample the optimal value of BMI, with the lowest risk of osteopenia and/or osteoporosis was the value of 26.9kg/m(2). A further increase of BMI does not result in a favourable effect on the bones, it rather intensifies negative phenomena in the body resulting in the onset of many diseases., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

The aim of the study was to estimate the differences in bone mineral density (BMD) at three skeletal sites, with regard to age and menopausal status. The study was conducted between 2001 and 2006 in the Polish city of Wrocław and the sample was comprised of 440 healthy female inhabitants aged 40-88years. The measurements of bone mineral density were taken at three sites: femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter major. Two bone mineral density characteristics were used in further analysis: absolute measure of bone mineral density (BMD) expressed in g/(100mm)(2), and % of BMD of the peak value calculated for young adults (20-45, USA reference population). Pre- and postmenopausal status was defined according to occurrence of menstruation within the last 60days. The changes in bone mineral density with age showed significantly different patterns in different skeletal sites. While the decrease in bone mineral density in the femoral neck and Ward's triangle were parallel and gradual, the changes in trochanter major were very small and between the age groups 51-55 and 71-75, nearly unnoticeable. A comparison between pre- and postmenopausal women aged 46-55, showed a significant effect of menopausal status. The average bone mineral densities in the three skeletal sites were higher in premenopausal than in postmenopausal women. The highest value of bone mineral density was found in the femoral neck, significantly lower in Ward's triangle, and a little lower (non-significantly) in the trochanter major than in the Ward's triangle. Postmenopausal women had a little higher BMD value in the trochanter major than in the Ward's triangle site., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

In the present study, we analyzed the changes of bone mineral density (BMD) among Polish women age 40-79, as a function of biological aging and body mass index (BMI) class, and compared them with the US sample (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III). The null hypothesis of this study was that the rate of BMD change is femoral region, age, ethnicity, and BMI dependent. The studied group was divided into 4 age decades: 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-79 and 2 BMI classes (normal: 18.524.99). Analysis of covariance technique, using a generalized linear model with age and BMI as covariates, was used for data analysis. The influence of weight, height, and BMI on BMD loss was analyzed using multivariate regression analysis. The changes in BMD of femoral neck and trochanter are congruent. BMD decrease is not only age dependent but also, for specific ethnic groups, weight, height, and BMI dependent. The obtained results indicate that the analysis of age-dependent BMD changes should be performed by means of regression analysis using a broad age range rather than an age-decade approach.

Background: The aim of the paper was to analyze involutional changes and their dynamics in bone mineral density, functional parameters of muscles and to evaluate the body balance in standing position in women in various age groups., Material and Methods: The desitometric and isokinetic tests were carried out in 288 women who were 40, 50, 60 and 70 years old. The balance test was performed in 101 of them. The women over 60 years old were students of The University of The Third Age in Wroclaw. The desitometric tests were carried out by means of DEXA method. The analysis covered the neck of the femur, Ward's triangle and the greater trochanter of the femur. The isokinetic tests of the trunk and knee joint muscles were carried out at the isokinetic test stand by Biodex Sysem 3 Multi Joint. The body's stability in standing position was tested by means of stabilographic method with the use of Posturograf by Pro-Med., Results: A statistically significant decrease of mean BMD values in the successive age groups was found. Statistically significant changes were also observed in all the analysed force-speed parameters. The values of the force-speed parameters dropped, yet the values of the time parameters increased. Dynamics of the changes showed faster worsening of the mineral bone density in the Ward's triangle and a decrease of the functional parameters of muscles at the moment of force during the first 0,18 seconds of the maximal repetition. The body balance test showed statistically significant differences only between younger and older women during the test with eyes closed., Conclusions: 1. The carried out tests showed worsening of age-related, structural and functional parameters. 2. Slight worsening of the body balance in standing position with eyes closed was observed in the examined elderly patients. 3. The analysed involutional changes of the motor system and their dynamics may be risk factors of falls and fractures.

Falls may occur in each ontogenesis phase, but they become more frequent in the elderly and lead to serious health consequences. Dynamic changes in senior citizens' environment and lifestyle makes studies of risk for falls necessary. To determine the relationship between the risk for falls and the objective functional and structural examination in the elderly living in Poland. The research consisted of 196 females and 61 males aged 60-88 recruited from health clinics, senior citizen centers and Universities of the Third Age between 2009-2012. Following parameters were collected: functional physical tests '30 second Chair Stand Test' and Timed Up and Go Test', the flexor muscles and knee extensors force, the bone mineral density was measured in distal radius of the forearm with the EXA - 3000, the total risk for fall assessed by 5 tests by abbreviated version of Fallscreen test. Multiple linear regression and linear correlation were used for assessment of relationship with total estimated risk for fall and other parameters. The subjects displayed significant dimorphic differences within the range of the functional parameters and bone mineral density to the advantage of males. Only in women results revealed a significant link between the risk for falls and the dynamic balance, as well as the maximum quadricep muscle force equal. Strength of the lower limb muscles seems to be critical for decreasing the risk for fall. Special programs for strengthening this part of the body for older people should be elaborate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Human physical activity is an important component of health and it gains a special significance with age, influencing the quality of life of elderly people. The present study discusses the question of whether the level of physical activity is a sufficient stimulus to evoke positive changes in body composition and bone mineral density in women from the University of the Third Age. Basic procedures. The research was conducted on 90 women aged between 65 and 74, students of the U3A. The subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of the amount of their level of physical activity declared by them in questionnaires (1-2 times a week - low physical activity group; 3 and more times a week - high physical activity group). The following measurements were taken: body weight and body height (on the basis of which the BMI was calculated for each subject), body composition including percent fat and water content as well as the amount of body fat and water, with the aid of Futurex-5000 (NIR technique). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal segment of the femoral bone (g/cm²) with the Lunar DPX-plus densitometer. Main findings. Mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were applied in the statistical analysis. The differences between the variables were analyzed with Student's t- test. Conclusions. The research results imply the necessity of conducting a systematic and thorough analysis of the lifestyle and quality of life of elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decreased bone strength together with impaired physical efficiency followed by falls are the most important causes of osteoporotic fractures in elderly population. Objectives: To examine the influence of age on isokinetic trunk and knee flexion and extension torque properties, and to study their associations with bone mineral density in women. Material and methods: 288 women were divided into 4 age groups (40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 years). Isokinetic concentric studies of spinal and knee extensors and flexors were carried out at 90°/s and 120°/s, for spine, and 60°/s and 180°/s for knees. Bone mineral density was measured in the proximal femur by DXA. Results: The different strength parameters (peak torque, peak torque/body mass, average torque of five repetitions) decreased and the time to reach peak torque increased with age. Some relations have been noted between these isokinetic parameters and bone mineral density. Conclusions: Age-related deterioration in strength-velocity parameters of knee and spinal muscles are co-incidental with a gradual decrease in proximal femur BMD in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]