The significance of height loss in postmenopausal women. The results from GO Study

Background: The aim of the study was the assessment of clinical significance of height loss (HL) in female population.

Material: The study cohort was recruited from GO Study. Data from 1735 postmenopausal women aged over 55 years (mean age 68.15 ± 8.16 years) were analysed.

Methods: Data on clinical risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures were collected. Bone densitometry at hip was performed using a device Prodigy (GE, USA). Height was established using stadiometer and was compared with maximal height in early adulthood.

Results: The mean HL was 3.9 ± 3.2 cm. HL was significantly higher in women with fractures in comparison with those without fracture (4.9 ± 3.6 cm vs 3.4 ± 2.8 cm; P < .0001). HL increased with the number of fractures, and was 4.1 ± 3.2 cm, 5.3 ± 3.5 cm and 6.7 ± 4.1 cm in women with one, two and three or more fractures respectively. Women with spine fractures presented with HL higher in comparison with all the other subjects (6.3 ± 4.0 vs 3.6 ± 2.9 cm, P < .0001) and women with all non-spine fractures (6.3 ± 4.0 vs 4.0 ± 3.0 cm, P < .0001). In women with steroid use and falls, HL was significantly greater than in subjects without this factor. HL correlated significantly with age and BMI (positively) and current height (negatively). Mean T-score for FN BMD was -1.75 ± 0.9 and correlate significantly with HL (r = -.21, P < .0001). For the HL threshold above 4 cm, the fracture incidence was above 50%.

Conclusion: Height loss value is a simple and very informative measure describing fracture risk and functional status in postmenopausal women. HL exceeding 4 cm is related to fracture probability above 50%.