The aim of this study was to examine the association between serum hemoglobin level, bone mineral density, and fracture risks based on the estimated score of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) in Asian male adults. The medical records of 662 male patients who underwent health examinations at a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan were reviewed. The medical history, demographic characteristics, clinical laboratory results, and bone mineral density of the patients were ascertained from their medical records. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association of hemoglobin levels with bone mineral density, the 10-year risk of hip fracture, and the 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture (clinical spine, forearm, hip, or shoulder fracture) as assessed by FRAX. The mean age of the patients was 53.1 years. Results from simple linear regression analysis indicated that hemoglobin was positively associated with bone mineral density but inversely associated with both hip fracture risk and major osteoporotic fracture risk. Similar results were obtained when potential confounding variables were adjusted using multiple linear regression analysis. Low serum hemoglobin levels might be an important indicator for predicting bone mineral loss and the risk of both major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture in male patients. Bone mineral density should be closely monitored in patients receiving treatment for anemia.
Keywords: FRAX; bone mineral density; fracture; hemoglobin.