Can a determination of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase predict postmenopausal loss of bone mass?

BACKGROUND: A study was carried out over a 24-month interval to determine if an initial measurement of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase would be predictive of bone mass loss quantified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, as total bone mineral content and total bone mineral content corrected for weight. DESIGN: Sixty-two women were studied (at onset: mean age 59.7 +/- 8.9 years, 10.8 +/- 8.8 years since menopause; at conclusion: mean age 61.9 +/- 8.8 and 13.0 +/- 8.7 since menopause). RESULTS: A paired Wilcoxon test showed a small, but significant, increase in weight (P < 0.05) and decrease in height (P < 0.05). Total bone mineral content and total bone mineral content corrected for weight decreased (P < 0.005 and 0.0001, respectively). Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase increased (P < 0.005). Single-regression analysis showed that the per cent bone mass loss observed between the first and second body bone mineral content measurements correlated negatively with the first serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase determination (r = -0.62, P < 0.0001). Changes in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase correlated negatively with changes in total bone mineral content (r = -0.79, P < 0.0001). In a multiple regression analysis of per cent change in bone mass against initially important variables such as age, years since menopause, weight, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, only tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase was significant (P < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specifity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase for evaluating bone loss were 86% and 78%, respectively, and the area under the curve was of 0.83 (95% CI 0.71-0.95). CONCLUSION: These results show that a simple measurement of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase can help to predict the potential rate of bone mass loss in women.

Behavior of phalangeal bone ultrasound in normal women with relation to gonadal status and body mass index.

The behavior of phalangeal bone ultrasound was studied, measured by amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SOS) in meters per second, in 324 normal women (mean age 48.9 +/- 13.7 years) classified by gonadal status (premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal) and body mass index (BMI, thin, normal, overweight and obese). Ad-SOS differed significantly with gonadal status and BMI (p<0.0001 for all). In the overall group of women, Ad-SOS correlated negatively with age (r=-0.84, p<0.0001), weight (r=-0.16, p<0.005), BMI (r=-0.27, p<0.0001), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase concentration (TRAP) (r=-0.35, p<0.0001). The negative correlation remained significant in the groups separated by gonadal status, but to a lesser extent. After adjusting for confounding variables such as age and weight, Ad-SOS was dependent on age (but not on weight or BMI) in the overall group of women and in the gonadal status groups. In conclusion, Ad-SOS values differed significantly with gonadal status and BMI, and correlated negatively with TRAP. The plot of Ad-SOS against age differed significantly with gonadal status as well as BMI.

Do ultrasound measurements reflect bone microarchitecture rather than bone mass?: An in vitro study of the rat femur with the use of ultrasound, densitometry, and histomorphometry.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: In an experimental study in 40 rat femurs, the authors correlated the amplitude-dependent speed of bone ultrasound (Ad-SOS) with the bone mineral content and density and with the bone trabecular connectivity: trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and trabecular separation to evaluate and compare the usefulness of the Ad-SOS to determine bone quantity and/or quality. METHODS: Bone mineral content and density were determined with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Trabecular connectivity was determined with histomorphometric techniques. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between the Ad-SOS and the other parameters studied, with a particularly high positive correlation with trabecular bone volume and trabecular thickness, and an inverse correlation with trabecular separation. The correlation was weaker with the bone mineral content and bone mineral density and with the trabecular number. For the trabecular separation, the correlation was significant in all cases, but it was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Bone ultrasound, in this case Ad-SOS, defines the quality of the bone in terms of trabecular architecture rather than bone density; however, this conclusion is valid only for the rat femur model that the authors used.

Effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on axial and peripheral bone mass in rats on strenuous treadmill training exercise.

We observed the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplement on bone mass in rats on strenuous treadmill training. Sixty female Wistar rats (93-days-old; mean initial weight 261 +/- 16 g) were studied. One group of 15 rats was killed at the beginning of the experiments (basal control group), while another group of 15 rats was not manipulated (Exer-NaB-). Another group of 15 rats was exercised but did not receive sodium bicarbonate (Exer+NaB-), while the final group of 15 rats exercised and received sodium bicarbonate (Exer+NaB+) at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day, administered by esophageal catheter on exercise days. These rats were killed at the end of 11 weeks. Femoral and vertebral length, weight, and bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) were measured. According to ANOVA with the Tukey-Kramer test, femur length and weight, vertebral weight, femur BMC and BMD, vertebral BMC and BMD and the ratio between femur and vertebral BMC and final body weight, and plasma bicarbonate were lower in the basal control and Exer+NaB- groups than in the two other groups (P < 0.005-0.0001). Overall, there was a positive correlation between femur and vertebral BMC and femur BMC and length (P < 0.0001 for all). Only in the Exer+NaB- group was there a positive association between plasma bicarbonate levels and femur length (r = 0.78; P < 0.0005). Our study demonstrates the adverse effects of strenuous exercise on bone, and the usefulness of sodium bicarbonate supplements in preventing and minimized these effects.

The effect of supplemental copper on osteopenia induced by ovariectomy in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of a copper supplement on preventing bone mass loss induced by ovariectomy in rats was investigated. DESIGN: Three groups of fifteen 100-day-old female Wistar rats, each with a mean initial weight of approximately 260 g per animal, were selected for a 30-day experiment. One group of 15 ovariectomized rats was fed a diet supplemented with 15 mg of copper per kilogram of feed. The other two groups: 15 ovariectomized and 15 Sham- ovariectomized rats did not receive the supplement. Morphometric (weight and length) and densitometric studies with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were performed on the whole femur and the fifth lumbar vertebra of each animal at the end of the 30-day period. RESULTS: The ovariectomized rat group fed a diet supplemented with copper did not show the bone mass loss at the axial (fifth lumbar vertebra) or peripheral (femur) level that was evidenced in the ovariectomized group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the measurement of axial and peripheral bones show that a supplement of copper may have a potential therapeutic application in the treatment and prevention of involutional osteoporosis.

Influence of vitamin D administration on bone ultrasound measurements in patients on anticonvulsant therapy.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to evaluate bone mass status (as measured by bone ultrasound) in patients on anticonvulsant therapy, and the influence that Vitamin D administration exerts over it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured and compared the basal serum levels of 25(OH)D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and phalangeal bone ultrasound (Ad-SOS), in 30 adult patients who were taking anticonvulsant drugs, with a control group of similar age and sex. We then gave the patients a large oral dose of 3 mg (120.000 UI) of 25(OH)D3, and repeated the measurements after one month. RESULTS: Basal 25(OH)D3 and Ad-SOS values were significantly lower, and PTH values significantly higher (P< 0.0001 in all), in the patient group. The low Ad-SOS values for the patients were independent of the treatment, but directly related to basal 25(OH)D3 levels (r = 0.45, P<0.01). There was a negative association between PTH and 25(OH)D3 (r = -0.64, P<0.0001), and no correlation between PTH y Ad-SOS (r = -0.20, p NS). After ingestion of the large dose of the vitamin D, the patient group registered a significant (P<0.0001) increase in 25(OH)D3 levels, their Ad-SOS values increased (P<0.0001) nearly to the mean basal value of the control group, and PTH decreased significantly (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings justify the need to assure adequate vitamin D intake in patients being treated with anticonvulsants, independently of the treatment, age, sex, and activity status, in order to prevent osteomalacia.

Gynecological factors and body mass index as determinants of bone mass in normal postmenopausal women. A study with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).

OBJECTIVE: This paper studied the influence of several gynecological factors (years since menopause (YSM), age at menarche and gynecological age or reproductive life) simultaneously with anthropometric factors as determinants of bone mass in 189 healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: Bone mass was determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. RESULTS: An overall evaluation showed that YSM correlated negatively with trabecular and cortical bone density (BMDTrab and BMDCorti) (P<0.05 in both cases). Age at menarche correlated negatively with BMDCorti (P<0.05) and gynecological age correlated positively with BMDTrab (P<0.05). Classifying the women according to their body mass index (BMI), the YSM correlation persisted in those subjects whose BMI was >25 kg/m(2), and in age at menarche and gynecological age of women whose BMI was <25 kg/m(2) (P<0.05). After separating women according to their age at menarche, their gynecological age and BMI, the only significant difference that persisted was in BMDTrab which was lower in the group with gynecological age <33 years, with a BMI <25 kg/m(2) (P=0.020). Parity and smoking had no impact on our results. By multiple regression, with BMD as the dependent variable and the gynecological factors as independent variables, we only observed significance between YSM and BMDCorti (P<0.005). The same was observed after separating women according to their BMI in the >25 kg/m(2) group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data stress the importance of YSM on BMDTrab and BMDCorti, of age at menarche on BMDCorti and of gynecological age on BMDTrab. However, YSM is the gynecological factor that mainly determines BMD. The differences observed between measurements taken with pQCT and other methods commonly used to estimate bone mass indicate that results obtained with one technique cannot be extrapolated to other methods.

Calcitonin versus clodronate in the prevention of ovariectomy-induced osteopenia in rats.

The effects of salmon calcitonin and clodronate were compared in ovariectomised rats. Sixty female Wistar rats ( 260 g in weight) were fed the same diet and had the same living conditions. The rats were divided into the following groups: 15 rats with sham ovariectomy and no drug treatment (Sham-OVX); 45 rats with bilateral ovariectomy subdivided into 15 rats not receiving drug treatment (OVX group), 15 rats treated with subcutaneous salmon calcitonin, 2 U/kg/day every 2 days (OVX + CT group) and 15 rats treated with subcutaneous clodronate, 5 mg/kg/day every 2 days (OVX + Cl group). Sixty days after surgery, the rats were sacrificed and their femurs and fifth lumbar vertebrae were dissected and cleaned of soft tissue. Femur length, vertebral height, and bone mineral content and bone mineral density of the femur and fifth lumbar vertebra by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured. Calcitonin had a significant and stronger effect in preventing ovariectomy-induced osteopenia in the femur (OVX + CT vs OVX groups, p < 0.0001); both calcitonin and clodronate had a significant effect on the fifth lumbar vertebra, which was greater in the calcitonin group (OVX + CT vs OVX + Cl groups, p<0.005). These findings indicate that calcitonin has a protective effect on both the axial (trabecular bone) and peripheral (cortical bone) skeletons, but clodronate only has a protective effect on the axial skeleton.

Effect of silicon supplement on osteopenia induced by ovariectomy in rats.

The effect of silicon (Si) supplement on preventing bone mass loss induced by ovariectomy (OVX) in rats was investigated. Three groups of 15, 100-day-old female Wistar rats each, with a mean initial weight of approximately 260 g per animal, were selected for the present study. One of the experimental group consisting of 15 OVX rats was fed a diet supplemented with 500 mg of Si per kg of feed (Si + OVX). The other two groups consisting of 15 OVX and 15 sham-OVX rats did not receive these supplements. Morphometric (weight and length) and densitometric studies with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were performed on the whole femur and 5th lumbar vertebra of each animal 30 days after the experiment. The Si + OVX rats did not show a loss of bone mass induced by OVX at axial level (5th lumbar vertebra) or periphery (femur). Nonetheless, a significant increase (ANOVA with Bonferroni/Dunn post hocs test) of longitudinal development of the femur (P < 0.0001) was patent. These results, obtained through the measurements of axial and peripheral bones, warrant closer scrutiny in connection with the Si inhibitory effect on bone mass loss as well as the stimulatory effect on bone formation. Both actions, namely, inhibition of resorption and stimulation of formation, infer that Si may have a potential therapeutic application in the treatment of involutive osteoporosis.

Impact of weight in obese subjects on bone speed of sound.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors determined the effect of obesity on measurements of amplitude-dependent speed of bone ultrasound (Ad-SOS [m/sec]) and compared them to the total body bone mineral content (TBBMC/g). METHODS: A total of 25 women were studied (mean age 41.8 +/- 10.2 years). In all the subjects, body mass index (BMI) exceeded 30 kg/m2 (range, 31.12-47.47 kg/m2); mean body weight was 104 +/- 17 kg. Ad-SOS was measured at the proximal phalanges and TBBMC in whole body with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Correlation study (Fisher's r to z) showed that Ad-SOS correlated negatively with weight (r = -0.85, P < 0.0001) and with TBBMC (r = -0.71, P < 0.0001). The correlation between TBBMC and weight was r = 0.76, P < 0.0001. Body fat percentage correlated partially with TBBMC (r = 0.40, P < 0.05) and negatively with Ad-SOS (r = -0.75, P < 0.0001). When the correlation test was adjusted for weight (partial correlation), the correlation between Ad-SOS and TBBMC was not significant (r = -0.21, P = NS), and the correlation between Ad-SOS and weight continued to be inversely significant (r = -0.67, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a clearly negative effect of weight on Ad-SOS measurements and indicated the limitations of this technique when employed in overweight and obese patients. Broad-band ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound, two commonly measured variables in bone ultrasound studies, may be differently affected by soft tissue.

Effects of promethazine on bone mass and on bone remodeling in ovariectomized rats: A morphometric, densitometric, and histomorphometric experimental study.

The effect of promethazine on bone is debated. We studied the effect of promethazine on bone and the mechanism of action involved by densitometric and histomorphometric measurements in female Wistar rats (100 days old, mean weight 25 +/- 20 g). A control group of 15 rats was not manipulated. An experimental group of 15 rats were ovariectomized (OVX) at 100 days of life and fed a diet supplemented with 4.8 mg/kg promethazine hydrochloride (OVX + Prom). The group that underwent OVX and a group of 15 rats that underwent sham ovariectomy (Sham-OVX) were not treated with promethazine. After 30 days, all the rats were killed. Their femur and 5th lumbar vertebra were dissected and cleaned of soft tissue. Femoral length and vertebral height were measured with a caliper and bones were weighed on a precision balance. The bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole right femurs and 5th lumbar vertebras were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Trabecular bone volume (Cn-BV-TV%), trabecular number (Tb-N mm(-1)), trabecular thickness (Tb-Th microm), and trabecular separation (Tb-Sp microm) were measured in the femurs by histomorphometric study of nondecalcified bone. Our results showed that promethazine significantly inhibited postovariectomy loss of bone mass (P < 0. 0001) by significantly reducing bone resorption, as shown by the smaller trabecular spaces observed in the treated OVX rats (P < 0. 0001).

Effects of potassium bicarbonate supplementation on axial and peripheral bone mass in rats on strenuous treadmill training exercise.

We administered a potassium bicarbonate supplement to rats on strenuous treadmill training in order to determine the effect on bone mass and the metabolic acidosis seen with this type of training. A sample of 45 93-day-old female Wistar rats with a mean initial weight of 267 +/- 17 g were studied. The control group (15 rats) was not exercised or given potassium bicarbonate (Ex- PB-). The experimental group (30 rats) was randomly divided into two subgroups of 15 rats each, one that exercised and did not receive potassium bicarbonate (Ex+ PB-) and one that exercised and received potassium bicarbonate (Ex+ PB+), at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day administered by esophageal catheter on exercise days. Training consisted of treadmill running on 5 out of 7 days for a period of 11 weeks. Running time, treadmill speed, and the percent grade were gradually increased until week 7, then maintained until rats were sacrificed at the ened of 11 weeks. The bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole right femur and 5th lumbar vertebra were measured. Femoral and vertebral length were also measured. Femur length, weight, BMC, and BMD, and femur BMC/final weight ratio, and vertebral weight, BMD, and BMC, and vertebral BMC/final weight ratio were lower in the Ex+ PB- group than in either the controls or the Ex+ PB+ group (P < 0.01-P < 0.0001); the length of the 5th lumbar vertebra did not differ between groups.

Effects of alprazolam supplementation on vertebral and femoral bone mass in rats on strenuous treadmill training exercise.

The ability of alprazolam to diminish cortisol response and favor ovarian function could make it useful in the prevention of osteopenia in athletes in selected cases. A sample of 45 female Wistar rats, all 93 days old and with a mean initial weight of 267 +/- 17 g, were studied. Rats were exposed to a high-performance level of exercise and were divided into two groups-one group received an alprazolam supplement and one did not-and compared with controls to determine the effect of alprazolam on bone mass as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DKA). Exercise consisted of treadmill running on 5 out of 7 days during a period of 11 weeks. A steep grade treadmill inclination was used to stimulate high-intensity muscle activity. Final inclination was 17.5 degrees and treadmill speed was 45 cm/second. Upon completion of the experiment, all the rats were killed and the femur and 5th lumbar vertebra were dissected and cleaned. Length, weight, bone mineral content (BMC), and density (BMD) of the whole right femur and 5th lumbar vertebra were measured. In the exercise only group (no alprazolam), the length, weight, BMC, BMD, and femur BMC/final rat weight ratio of the femur, and the vertebral weight, vertebral BMD and BMC, and vertebral BMC/final rat weight ratio were lower than in the control and the exercise-alprazolam groups (P < 0.0167 - < 0.0001). Alprazolam preserves bone mass in rats exposed to intense exercise.

Effect of induced uterine retroversion on bone mass in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of surgical uterine retroversion on bone mass in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five female Wistar rats were assigned randomly to three groups: 15 unmanipulated rats, 15 rats that underwent uterine retroversion, and 15 rats that underwent sham uterine retroversion (exposure of the uterus to air followed by closure of the abdominal cavity). Sixty days later the rats were killed and their femurs were dissected. Femurs were weighed and measured, and femoral bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: In the group of rats that underwent uterine retroversion, BMC, BMD, and BMC corrected for final body weight were significantly lower (P<0.001) than in the unmanipulated control and sham uterine retroversion groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that uterine retroversion induced a loss of bone mass. We could not determine the mechanism of bone loss; in our opinion, these problem merits further investigations, which currently occupy our interest.

Transient dissociation of bone metabolism induced by high performance exercise: a study in elite marathon runners.

Bone metabolism parameters were studied in 18 elite marathon runners (11 men and 7 women) who participated in the Marathon World Cup held at San Sebastian, Spain in 1993. Measurements were made before the race, immediately after the race, and 24 hours after the race. The most interesting finding was increased alkaline phosphatase (P < 0. 0001) and decreased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (P = 0.0035), which suggests that exercise produced uncoupling of the bone cell metabolism. Serum calcium corrected for proteins did not increase with exercise and at the end of the race there was a negative correlation between cortisol, which was significantly higher (P < 0. 0001), and corrected serum calcium (r = 0.53, P = 0.026) that was not present at baseline. Running time showed a significant negative correlation with baseline serum cortisol (r = -0.67, P = 0.0015) and a significant positive correlation with body mass index (r = 0.53, P = 0.0207). The increase in alkaline phosphatase persisted 24 hours after the race, which suggests that exercise produced an intense and sustained effect on osteogenic capacity.

T score of trabecular and cortical bone in normal postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The T score of the cortical and trabecular bone compartments (T score of BMDTrab and T score of BMDCorti) was calculated in healthy postmenopausal women to determine which bone compartment loses more bone mass. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total 134 healthy postmenopausal women (mean age 55.1 +/- 6.4 years) and 67 healthy premenopausal women (mean age 36.0 +/- 8.6 years) were studied. Determinations were made using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) of the nondominant forearm. The postmenopausal women were divided into groups by years since menopause (YSM): two early postmenopausal groups: < 5 YSM and 6-10 YSM; and two late postmenopausal groups: 11-20 YSM and > 20 YSM. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the T score of BMDTrab and the T score of BMDCorti (P < 0.0001). Both correlated negatively and significantly with age (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively) and neither correlated with weight. The Wilcoxon test showed no significant differences between the trabecular and cortical T scores in the overall group of women. By YSM, only the > 20 YSM group showed significant differences (P < 0.005). The ANOVA post hoc Bonferroni/Dunn test showed a significant difference in the T score of BMDTrab by YSM only in the < 5 YSM versus 11-20 YSM groups (P = 0.007) and in the < 5 YSM versus > 20 YSM groups (P < 0.0001). The T score of BMDCorti by YSM differed significantly only between the < 5 YSM versus 11-20 YSM groups (P < 0.0001) and between the 11-20 YSM and > 20 YSM groups (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: In contrast with what has been postulated in recent studies, our results showed that postmenopausal bone loss was similar in the cortical and trabecular bone compartments in the first 20 years after menopause. Trabecular bone loss was greater than cortical bone loss in late menopause (> 20 years).

Total and regional bone mass and biochemical markers of bone remodeling in metastatic prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The osteolytic activity of metastases of prostate cancer was evaluated in relation to total body bone mineral content (TBBMC) and regional bone mineral content (RBMC). METHODS: Bone mass was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) was measured as a biochemical marker of bone resorption. RESULTS: In 32 patients (mean age 72+/-4 years) compared with 32 controls (mean age 73+/-5 years), there were significant differences in TRAP (P < 0.0001), TBBMC (P < 0.0001), and RBMC in the pelvis (P < 0.0001), legs (P=0.0001), and trunk (P<0.05), but not in the arms and head (P=ns). In the overall group of subjects, the correlation between TBBMC and TRAP was r=-0.68, P < 0.0001. The correlations remained significant in the patient and control groups separately. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of bone mass observed in patients with metastatic prostate cancer was caused mainly by the predominance of bone resorption in the osteoblastic metastases.

Ultrasonographic bone velocity in pregnancy: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: Longitudinal changes in bone mass were evaluated with use of ultrasonography and bone remodeling markers in 40 normal pregnant women in relation to their calcium intake. STUDY DESIGN: The study took place at the University of Alcalá Hospital in Madrid. Biochemical markers of bone remodeling and ultrasonographic bone propagation velocity in the proximal phalanxes of fingers 2 to 5 were measured in all three trimesters of pregnancy. Wilcoxon, unpaired and paired t tests, and analysis of variance were used. RESULTS: Ultrasonographic bone propagation velocity (meters per second) was lower in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (p < 0.0001) compared with the respective preceding trimesters and in the third trimester in the overall group of pregnant women. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase levels increased significantly (p < 0.0001) in parallel with the ultrasonographic bone propagation velocity decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Gestation was accompanied by a reduction in ultrasonographic bone propagation velocity that was greater in women with low calcium intake.

Metacarpal radiogrammetry by computed radiography in postmenopausal women with Colles' fracture and vertebral crush fracture syndrome.

Based on the hypothesis that the underlying osteoporotic mechanism of Colles' fracture in postmenopausal women is similar to that of other osteoporotic fractures, that is, cortical bone resorption as opposed to cancellous bone resorption, the rate of corticoendosteal bone loss was compared in 40 normal postmenopausal women [average age 68.4 +/- 7.1 years; 20 +/- 4 years since menopause (YSM)], in 35 postmenopausal women with Colles' fracture (age 69.4 +/- 7.5 years, 22 +/- 8 YSM), in 35 normal postmenopausal women with vertebral crush fracture (age 69.4 +/- 7.5 years, 22 +/- 8 YSM, and in 35 normal premenopausal women (age 36.1 +/- 7.9 years). Radiogrammetry by digital radiography of the second metacarpal was used to measure external (ED) and internal (ID) diameter, cortical thickness (CCT), cortical area (CA), and the ratio of cortical area to total area (CA/TA). The ID values of the groups of postmenopausal women were subtracted from the ID value of the premenopausal women and the result was divided by YSM to obtain the rate of corticoendosteal resorption/year (DeltaC), CA resorption year (DeltaCA) and CA/TA resorption/year (DeltaCA/TA). ID, DeltaC, DeltaCA, and DeltaCA/TA all were larger in the postmenopausal women with Colles' and vertebral crush fractures than in the normal postmenopausal women (ANOVA: all P < 0.0001). ID, CCT, DeltaC, CA, DeltaCA, and DeltaCA/TA did not differ between the two groups of postmenopausal women with fractures. DeltaC was 87% greater in postmenopausal women with vertebral crush fracture and 116% greater in women with Colles' fracture than in normal postmenopausal women. These results indicate that the loss of cortical bone is an important factor in Colles' fracture in postmenopausal women.