Association between bone mineral density and C-reactive protein in a large population-based sample Arthritis & Rheumatism, 04/06/2012

de Pablo P et al. – Among men and women in a large representative population–based sample, C–reactive protein (CRP) was inversely and independently associated with total bone mineral density (BMD) in a dose–dependent fashion.

• The authors included participants aged 20+ with BMD (total and subregions) measured by dual–energy x–ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and complete information on covariates from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) now.
• The association between CRP and BMD was evaluated using multivariable linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounders and further adjustment for comorbid diseases, medications and serum vitamin D levels.

• The study sample included 10,475 participants, among which there were 53% Caucasians, 22% Mexican–American, 18% African–American, and 7% were other races.
• Men had higher BMD and lower CRP concentrations than women.
• BMD (total, subtotal, extremities, ribs, and trunk subregions) was inversely associated with CRP quintiles both in men and women in a dose–dependent fashion (total BMD p for trend: <0.0001 for men; 0.0005 for women).
• The associations were independent of medications, comorbidities and other potential confounders.
• The results remained largely unchanged with further adjustment for serum vitamin D levels.