Identification of a Link between Framingham Risk Score and Fracture Risk Assessment Tool / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although trials have suggested an association between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the relationship between fracture risk and cardiovascular disease is not well defined. Here, we examined whether subjects with a higher risk of fracture also share an increased likelihood of developing CVD. METHODS: This study included 477 subjects; patients with a history of diabetes, chronic hepatopathy, nephritic syndrome, or any cardiovascular diseases were excluded. We used dual energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femur, and calculated fracture risk based on the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) score. The Framingham risk score (FRS) was used to estimate cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: Of the 477 subjects, 222 had osteopenia and 150 had osteoporosis; the remaining 105 had a normal BMD. In men, no significant differences were observed in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) between groups. Men with osteoporosis were generally older, and had significantly higher total cholesterol (TC). In women, age and FRS were significantly higher in the osteoporosis group. In the multivariate analysis, age, SBP, TC, HDL, TG, and FRAX were all significantly associated with FRS. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that patients with a higher risk of fracture are also at greater risk of developing CVD, indicating a possible mechanistic link between CVD and osteoporosis.