Age-related changes in cortical bone thickness of ancient Egyptians

Abstract Background Cross-sectional properties are affected by intrinsic factors such as age and levels of sex hormones. The aim of the present study was to assess age related changes in long bone cortical bone measurements in ancient Egyptian males and females. Material and methods The material of the present study consisted of 245 skeletons. Measurements of cross-sectional properties from CT images were taken from humerus, femur, and tibia. Cross-sectional images were obtained in the transverse plane of each bone, perpendicular to both coronal and sagittal planes. Results The results of the present study revealed that the cortical area showed a consistent decrease after age 50 years in all bones for both sexes; this reduction was significant in the tibia of males and in the humerus and femur of females. The present study demonstrated an increase in endosteal diameter of long bones, with an associated decrease in thickness of compact cortical bone which is more obvious in ancient Egyptian females than in males. Conclusions The present results highlight important sex-specific differences in patterns of age-related bone loss. These findings are comparable to those from other human populations and represent a valid resource for clinical application and for comparisons with contemporary subjects.