RESUMEN
Statement of the Problem: Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are major health dilemmas. Osteoporotic patients frequently display vascular calcification that consequently increases the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relation of osteoporosis, vascular calcification [atheroma, intima-media thickness [IMT]] and elongated styloid process [ESP] in a sample of osteoporotic and normal female individuals
Materials and Method: This study recruited 78 women who were assessed for bone mass density [BMD]. Sample included individuals with normal BMD [n=13, 17%], osteopenia [n=36, 46%], and osteoporosis [n=29, 37%]. The presence of atheroma and IMT was examined using color Doppler ultrasonography [CD-US]. In addition, digital panoramic radiographs [PRs] were obtained to assess ESP
Results: In this study, 55 subjects [70%] with low BMD exhibited at least one side ESP. Femoral BMD decreased significantly in subjects with ESP [p= 0.03]. Bilateral ESP was correlated with the presence of atheroma [p= 0.029]. The CIMT was greater in patients with ESP, although the relation was not significant
Conclusion: The obtained data suggest referring the aged individuals with ESP for BMD assessment and individuals with low bone mass and ESP for more cardiovascular risk assessment