While the presence of vasomotor symptoms is associated with low bone mineral density among postmenopausal women, it is not related to an increase in the risk of fractures, according to the findings of a new literature review.
Vasomotor symptoms affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Other health complications associated with the menopausal transition include an increase in the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors and accelerated bone loss.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors aimed to identify the association between vasomotor symptoms and decreased bone mineral density or increased fracture risk. The findings of this study are published in the journal Osteoporosis International.
Study Characteristics
A total of 20 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, of which 12 were included in the quantitative analysis. Five of the studies investigated the relationship between vasomotor symptoms andthe risk of fracture, whereas five assessed the incidence of low bone mineral density. The analysis included a total of 49,659 patients.
Vasomotor Symptoms and Risk of Fracture
The studies investigating the association between vasomotor symptoms and the risk of fracture did not report an increased risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms compared to women who did not experience these symptoms. One study, however, demonstrated an increased risk of hip fractures in women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms.
Vasomotor Symptoms and Bone Mineral Density
The five studies investigating the occurrence of osteoporosis or osteopenia in postmenopausal women reported an increased risk of low bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms compared to women without these symptoms.
Vasomotor Symptoms and Mean Difference in Bone Mineral Density
Postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms had lower bone mineral density values in the lumbar spine compared to women without vasomotor symptoms. However, there were no differences in the bone mineral density of the femoral neck or total hip between postmenopausal women with and without vasomotor symptoms.
Severity of Vasomotor Symptoms and Fracture Risk
There were no differences in the fracture risk between women with no vasomotor symptoms and women with mild, moderate, or severe vasomotor symptoms.
Severity of Vasomotor Symptoms and Bone Mineral Density
Women with mild and moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms had an increased risk of low bone mineral density compared to women without any vasomotor symptoms. Moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms were also found to be associated with lower lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density. Mild vasomotor symptoms were related to lower bone mineral density in the lumbar spine but not the femoral neck.
Source:
Anagnostis, P., Lallas, K., Pappa, A., Avgeris, G., Beta, K., Damakis, D., Fountoukidou, E., Zidrou, M., Lambrinoudaki, Ι., & Goulis, D. G. (2024). The association of vasomotor symptoms with fracture risk and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Osteoporosis International. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-024-07075-8
