Effect of alcohol intake on bone mineral density in elderly women - The EPIDOS Study

To study potential associations between alcohol consumption and bone minera l density in women aged 75 years or older, the authors analyzed 7,598 ambul atory women (mean age, 79.9 years; standard deviation, 3.8 years) recruited at five centers in France between 1992 and 1994. The current alcohol intak e was assessed using a self-questionnaire. Bone mineral density was measure d by dual-photon X-ray absorptiometry of the proximal femur and total body and adjusted for age, weight, and height (Z score). Compared with nonusers, women who drank 11-29 g of alcohol per day (g/day) had higher bone mineral density values at the trochanteric site (p = 0.0017). Neither 1-10 g/day n or greater than or equal to 30 g/day users had increased bone mineral densi ty levels. These results were unrelated to estrogen replacement therapy use , dietary calcium intake, current smoking status, usual physical activity, educational attainment, household monthly income, and general health status . Alcohol intake was not associated with bone mineral density at the femora l neck. Total body bone mineral density was lower in subjects with alcohol intakes greater than or equal to 30 g/day (p = 0.047). Our data suggest tha t moderate drinking (e.g., 1-3 glasses of wine per day) is associated with an increase in trochanteric bone mineral density in elderly ambulatory wome n. However, higher intakes may have detrimental effects on bone mass.