Height Loss Was Associated With Osteoporosis in Korean Elderly Men, Not in Women: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2010

The degree of height loss varies among individuals, and excessive height loss can be a vertebral fracture or bone loss manifestation. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between height loss and bone mineral density (BMD) and to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis according to the height loss quartiles. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. A total of 2799 participants more than 60 years old were included and subdivided into quartiles according to height loss (Q1–Q4). Height loss was calculated with the difference between the self-reported maximum adult height and the actual measured height. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the total femur (TF), femoral neck, and lumbar spine. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to study the height loss-BMD and the height loss-osteoporosis prevalence relationships, respectively. After adjustments for all covariates, height loss was negatively associated with BMD at all the 3 sites (TF and lumbar spine, p 0.001; femoral neck, p = 0.002) in men, but only at TF ( p = 0.008) in women. Men with Q4 height loss had an increased prevalence of osteoporosis compared with those with Q1 (odds ratio = 2.092 and 95% confidence interval = 1.076–4.068). In women, the prevalence of osteoporosis was not associated with height loss. In conclusion, Q4 height loss in elderly men was associated with the increased prevalence of osteoporosis in Korea.