Osteoporosis significantly increases risk of death in menopause, study suggests

Osteoporosis may raise the risk of death in postmenopausal women by up to 47 per cent, a new study suggests.

The findings point to an inverse relationship between femoral bone mineral density and mortality risk, especially within certain ranges.

Femoral bone mineral density is the amount of mineral in the thigh bone, which is often measured to assess bone strength and osteoporosis risk.

Dr Monica Christmas is associate medical director for The Menopause Society.

She said: “Osteoporosis often remains a silent threat after menopause, despite its profound effect on women’s lives—from loss of height, poor balance, and reduced mobility to disfigurement, pain, and even premature death.

“Early screening and preventive measures, including a calcium-rich diet (preferably from food sources), regular weight-bearing exercise, and hormone therapy when appropriate, can significantly improve bone health and reduce risks not only of fractures but also cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and dementia.

“It’s time we bring this conversation to the forefront.”

In the  study involving nearly 3,000 postmenopausal women, bone mineral density at four femoral sites was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, a scan commonly used to measure bone strength and fracture risk.

The analysis found that mortality risk was significantly higher when femoral bone mineral density reached the osteoporotic threshold or when osteoporotic fractures were present.

After full adjustment, osteoporosis was associated with a 47 per cent increased risk of mortality.

A stronger inverse association between increased bone mineral density and mortality risk was seen within specific ranges, suggesting bone mineral density could serve as a prognostic marker of wider health.

The relationship appeared especially notable within the range of 0.46 to 0.71 g/cm² for total femur bone mineral density.

Previous research has shown that postmenopausal women face a significantly higher risk of death within one year of hip or vertebral fractures.