Hong Kong Perimenopausal Women Osteoporosis Study (HKPOST)
An
important predictor of osteoporotic fractures in later
life is the rate and amount of bone loss occurring
with age, especially in menopausal women. To
investigate change in bone mineral density (BMD) and
its determinants in Hong Kong Chinese perimenopausal
women, Professor Suzanne C. Ho has conducted a
30-month study on a group of pre-, peri-, and
postmenopausal women.
438 women aged 45 to 55 years were
recruited. By face-to-face interview, their bone mass,
body composition, lifestyle measurements were obtained
at baseline and at 9-, 18- and 30-month follow-ups.
Analysis showed that menopausal
status was the strongest determinant of bone changes.
An annual bone loss of ~0.5% was observed among
premenopausal, 2% to 2.5% among perimenopausal, and
~1.5% in postmenopausal women. Body weight, soy
protein intake, and weight-bearing activities were
protective for total body BMC. Higher baseline lean
muscle mass was also protective for femoral neck BMD.
