Correlation trends for bone mineral density in Mexican women: Evidence of familiar predisposition

Objective. Genetic factors determine bone mineral density (BMD) and peak bone density between 20 and 30 years of age, as well as bone mineral loss after menopause. BMD is a predictor of fractures due to osteoporosis and the impact of genetic factors on osteoporosis. The variation in BMD for each individual is determined by an underlying genetic structure, common genetic effects, particularly with respect to compact bones as compared to those that are primarily trabecular. This article presents the correlation of BMD by anatomical site among different samples of Mexican grandmothers, mothers and granddaughters of mixed race. Material and Methods. The present analysis was performed of healthy employees and their healthy relatives from three different health and academic institutions: the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social and the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, both located in Cuernavaca, Morelos, as well as the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico. We selected family-related female participants in order to obtain pairs of mothers and daughters and, whenever possible, grandmother-mother-daughter groups. We were able to match 591 mother-daughter pairs for analysis. Additionally, we were able to include grandmothers to create grandmother-motherdaughter triads for further analysis. Bone density measurements were performed of the non-dominant proximal femur, the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and the whole body using a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Lunar DPX NT instrument. Results. This study included 591 granddaughters, 591 mothers and 69 grandmothers; mean ages were 20, 47 and 72 years