Gender differences in normal age-dependent patterns of radial bone structure and density - A cross-sectional study using peripheral quantitative computed tomography

This cross-sectional study determines gender differences in the age-dependent patterns in radial trabecular bone structure using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. The nondominant forearms of 145 adult volunteers (57 men) were scanned and indices of trabecular structure (connectivity index [CI]; mean hole size [H-A]; and maximum hole size [H-M]) were determined at the ultradistal radius. The images were also analyzed to determine bone density. Men had significantly higher values far CI (p < 0.01), significantly lower values for H-A (p < 0.01), and significantly greater bone density (p < 0.001) than women. Age-dependent patterns in normal trabecular structure also displayed gender differences. CI decreased significantly with age in both men (-0.8%/yr, p < 0.05) and women (-2.2%/yr, p < 0.001); however, the rate of change was more pronounced in women (p < 0.001). Similarly, the age-related increase in H-A (+2.2%/yr) and H-M (+1.1%/yr) was significant in women (p < 0.01) but not in men. In both sexes, when expressed as an annual percentage of change, indices of trabecular bone structure changed to a greater extent than indices of bone density. The assessment of structural indices may improve our ability to identify individuals at risk for fractures of the distal radius.