Correlation analysis of iron accumulation with osteoporotic hip fracture in postmenopausal women

Objective To analyze the correlation between indices of iron accumulation, bone turnover and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic hip fracture, and further determine the role and significance of iron accumulation in hip osteoporosis. Methods A total of 376 cases aged (74.1±9.6)years (range, 55-94 years) hospitalized from June 2010 to December 2014 were collected. Of all, 22 cases were detected with normal bone mineral density (T-score≥-1), 189 cases with osteopenia (T-score 2.5) and 165 cases with osteoporosis (T-score≤-2.5). Body mass index, blood routine index, blood biochemical index, bone turnover markers [procollagen type N-terminal propeptide (PINP) andβ-C-terminal telopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTx)] and iron metabolism index were statistically analyzed. Results Cases of lower bone mineral density resulted in higher serum ferritin. Age, body mass index, serum ferritin, hemoglobin, C reactive protein and transferrin were the factors that affecting bone mineral density. With the control of age and body mass index, serum ferritin and bone mineral density were significantly negatively correlated (femoral neck: r=-0.446, P 0.05). Conclusions Regarding osteoporotic hip fracture in postmenopausal women, increase of serum ferritin may be an independent risk factor of decreased bone mineral density. Serum ferritin also relates to increased osteoclast activity. Key words: Ferritins; Hip fractures; Osteoporosis, postmenopausal; Iron accumulation