Biochemical Markers and Health Behavior Related with Bone Mineral Density in Adult Men

Background: More than half of the causes of male osteoporosis is due to secondary osteoporosis. Therefore, it is important to detect and modify its related factors. The aim of this study was to find related lifestyle factors and biochemical markers with low bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean men. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in men aged 40-69 years who visited a hospital for health checkup from January to March 2007. BMD was measured at proximal femur and lumbar spine by dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry. Lifestyle factors were estimated by a self-administered questionnaire and fasting glucose, uric acid, gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, free testosterone, 25-OH vitamin D, urine deoxypyridinoline, osteocalcin were measured. Multivariate logistic regression was used to find the association to the lowest tertile of BMD. Results: A total of 152 subjects were included. After multivariate analysis adjusted with age, BMI, smoking, alcohol and exercise, different factors were correlated with low bone density in each site of femoral neck and lumbar spine. Factors correlated at both sites were BMI and exercise; lower BMI and doing no exercise increased risks of low bone density. Increasing age and alcohol intake >= 14 drinks/week were associated with lower BMD at femoral neck. The factors associated with lower lumbar spine BMD only were lower level of uric acid and higher level of urine deoxypyridinoline. Conclusion: Different factors were associated with low bone density at femoral neck and lumbar spine in men. BMI and exercise were related in both sites; age, alcohol intake, uric acid and deoxypyridinoline were related on either site.