CORRELATION BETWEEN SKIN THICKNESS AND BONE MASS IN WOMEN

The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between skin thic kness and bone mass with a view to eventually using this parameter as a clinical screening tool to identify women with possible low bone mas s in whom a more costly diagnostic test, such as x-ray radiometry, sho uld be performed. One hundred and ten women who were scheduled for ost eodensitometry were invited to participate. Skin thickness was measure d with a mechanical calliper. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine (L2-4) and at the femoral neck levels by dual ener gy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The Pearson's correlation coefficient o btained between skin thickness and lumbar spine BMD was 0.37 (p = 0.00 01); between skin thickness and femoral BMD it was 0.33 (p = 0.001). T he correlation coefficient between skin thickness and age was -0.35 Ca = 0.0001) and between skin thickness and body mass index was 0.30 (p = 0.002). The correlation coefficient between BMD values obtained at t he femoral and lumbar levels was 0.74 (p = 0.0001). In addition to our results, we present a summary of the data available in the literature on the correlation observed between skin thickness/collagen content a nd bone density. The coefficient of correlation varies greatly among t hese studies and is not consistently statistically significant. These differences can be explained by the methodologies used by the differen t authors. Although skin thickness cannot replace BMD in identifying w omen with low bone mass in whom estrogen replacement therapy is indica ted, we think that skin thickness may become a helpful tool in screeni ng women. Further research is needed before clinical recommendations a re given.