Introduction: Hypertension is a common risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke, two serious causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Osteoporosis related hip fractures result in pain, disability, diminished quality of life and increased mortality rates in men and women. The presence of osteoporosis in a hypertensive population may therefore prognosticate a worse clinical course. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in hypertensive patients.
Methods: We reviewed dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of 220 consecutive hypertensive patients. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the hip and spine. T scores were considered normal between +1 and −1. T scores were classified as osteopenia between −1 and −2.5 and osteoporosis if lower than −2.5.
Results: Of the 220 patients (ages: 20–87 years) [123 (55.9%) males; 97 (44.1%) females], 102 (46.4%) [67 (65.7%) males; 35 (34.3%) females] had normal T scores. 118 (53.6%) [56 (47.5%) males; 62 (52.5%) females] had abnormal T scores. Of these, 75 (63.6%) [35 (46.7%) males; 40 (53.3%) females] had T scores consistent with osteopenia and 43 (36.4%) [20 (46.5%) males; 23 (53.5%) females] had T scores consistent with osteoporosis.
Conclusion: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are common in hypertensive patients. T scores consistent with osteopenia were found in approximately 34% and those consistent with osteoporosis were found in approximately 20% of our hypertensive population. Hypertensive treatment combined with strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis may improve the clinical course of these patients.
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© 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.
