Association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and bone mineral loss: a cross-sectional study in Puli Township in Taiwan

Results of studies regarding the association between the MS and osteoporosis have been largely controversial. The objectives of this study were to measure bone mineral density (BMD) with and without the MS and evaluate the associations between bone mineral loss and the components of the MS. In all, 352 men (mean age 70.6±11.9 years) and 468 women (mean age 67.8±12.0 years) in Puli township, Taiwan, were enrolled. Height (cm), weight (kg), waist circumference (cm), and blood pressure (mmHg) were measured. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and blood lipids were determined. Calcaneal BMD was measured using the ultrasound pulse transmission method. The prevalence of MS was 33.0% in men and 44.2% in women. In subjects with the MS, lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in both sexes (p < 0.001), lower triglycerides (p = 0.016) and more central obesity in men (p = 0.011) predicted bone mineral loss. The MS was not associated with bone mineral loss in either of sexes (p = 0.550 in men; p = 0.628 in women).