Homeostasis-based aging model for trabecular changes and its correlation with age-matched bone mineral densities and radiographs

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims (1) to propose a novel bone adaptation model for age-related trabecular changes by adopting two implicit parameters in optimization, (2) to compare the simulated bone volume fraction (BV/TV) with the reported bone mineral density (BMD), and (3) to review the simulated trabecular architectures with the age-matched radiographs.

Materials and methods: The proposed model simulated the trabecular changes for an age span of 32-80 years. Quantitative comparison was conducted in terms of BMD and other morphometric indices. Then, two radiologists scored the simulated trabecular architectures using the age-matched radiographs. This protocol was approved by the hospital institutional review board.

Results: The simulated BV/TV was well correlated with BMD reported in the literature (R(2)=0.855; p<0.05). In comparison with age-matched radiographs, the consensus scores of agreement of the trabeculae were higher in age groups over the 50s, and the means of the Ward's triangle areas were strongly correlated with those in the age-matched radiographs (R(2)=0.982; p<0.05).

Conclusion: The proposed model could reflect the targeted trabecular changes in proximal femur with age. With further follow-up measurements, this research would contribute to the development of patient-specific models that assist radiologists in predicting skeletal integrity with aging.

Keywords: Aging; Bone adaptation; Bone mineral density; Finite element analysis; Proximal femur; Topology optimization.