Inverse association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and bone mineral density in young- and middle-aged people: The NHANES 2011-2018

Fangjun Xiao; Peng Peng; Shihua Gao; Tianye Lin; Weihua Fang; Wei He

doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.929709

Inverse association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and bone mineral density in young- and middle-aged people: The NHANES 2011-2018

Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Aug 10:9:929709. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.929709. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fangjun Xiao¹, Peng Peng¹, Shihua Gao¹, Tianye Lin¹, Weihua Fang¹, Wei He^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
² Guangdong Research Institute for Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
³ Joint Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Objectives: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) plays an essential part in bone metabolism. However, the correlation between LDL-C levels and bone mineral density (BMD) is still controversial. This study aimed to explore the relationship between LDL-C levels and lumbar BMD in young- and middle-aged people.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 4,441 participants aged 20-59 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). LDL-C levels and lumbar BMD were used as independent and dependent variables, respectively. We evaluated the correlation between LDL-C levels and lumbar BMD through a weighted multivariate linear regression model. We performed a subgroup analysis of the relationship between LDL-C levels and lumbar BMD based on age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).

Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, LDL-C levels were negatively correlated with lumbar BMD. In subgroup analyses stratified by gender, this negative association was statistically significant in men and women. In the subgroup analysis stratified by age, a negative connection existed in people aged 30-49 years. In the subgroup analysis divided by BMI, there was an inverse correlation in overweight people (25 ≤ BMI < 30).

Conclusions: Our research observed an inverse association between LDL-C levels and lumbar BMD in young- and middle-aged people, especially in people aged 30-49 years and who are overweight. Close monitoring of BMD and early intervention may be required for these people.

Keywords: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES); bone mineral density; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; osteoporosis; young- and middle-aged people.