Positive association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and bone mineral density in U.S. adults: the NHANES 2011-2018

J Orthop Surg Res. 2022 Feb 15;17(1):92. doi: 10.1186/s13018-022-02986-w.

Abstract

Background: Serum lipids are highly inheritable and play a major role in bone health. However, the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and bone mineral density (BMD) remains uncertain. The goal of this study was to see if there was a link between HDL-C levels and BMD in persons aged 20-59.

Methods: Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the link between HDL-C and lumbar BMD using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018. Generalized additive models and fitted smoothing curves were also used.

Results: The analysis included a total of 10,635 adults. After controlling for various variables, we discovered that HDL-C was positively linked with lumbar BMD. The favorable connection of HDL-C with lumbar BMD was maintained in subgroup analyses stratified by sex and race in women, but not in men, and in blacks, but not in whites. The relationship between HDL-C and lumbar BMD in men and whites was a U-shaped curve with the same inflection point: 0.98 mmol/L.

Conclusions: In people aged 20 to 59, our research discovered a positive relationship among HDL-C and lumbar BMD. Among males and whites, this relationship followed a U-shaped curve (inflection point: 0.98 mmol/L). HDL-C measurement might be used as a responsive biomarker for detecting osteoporosis early and guiding therapy.

Keywords: Bone mineral density; High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Osteopenia; Osteoporosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Density* / physiology
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / blood*
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Osteoporosis / blood*
  • Osteoporosis / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL