CIGARETTE-SMOKING AND BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN OLDER MEN AND WOMEN

Objectives. The association be tween cigarette smoking and bone minera l density was examined prospectively in a population-based study of ol der Caucasian men and women. Methods. Smoking patterns were determined at a 1972-1974 baseline evaluation and, again, 16 years later when 54 4 men and 822 women had bone mineral density measurements taken. Resul ts. Men and women who were cigarette smokers at baseline demonstrated significantly reduced bone mineral density of the hip compared with no nsmokers. Baseline smoking was not associated with significantly lower bone density at non-hip sites. Women demonstrated a significant dose- response relationship between baseline smoking status at all hip sites measured. Both sexes exhibited significant dose-response relationship s between hip bone mineral density and change in smoking status betwee n baseline and follow-up, demonstrating that smoking cessation in late r life was beneficial in halting bone density loss associated with smo king. Conclusions. Smoking was positively and significantly associated with decreased hip bone mineral density in old age. Bone loss associa ted with smoking would be expected to predict an increased risk of hip fracture in those who do not succumb earlier to another complication of tobacco use.