Mandibular Bone Loss Predicts Subsequent Height Loss

TUESDAY, July 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Mandibular bone loss predicts future height loss for women, according to a study published online July 4 in BMJ Open.

Nivetha Natarajan Gavriilidou, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and colleagues conducted a population-based study involving 937 Swedish women born in 1914, 1922, and 1930 to estimate whether mandibular bone structure predicts future height loss. At the baseline examination, participants were aged 38, 46, and 54 years. Height loss was calculated over three 12- to 13-year periods: 1968 to 1980; 1980 to 1992; and 1992 to 2005.

The researchers found that over the three observation periods, mean annual height loss measures were 0.075, 0.08, and 0.18 cm/year, respectively, corresponding to absolute decreases of 0.9, 1.0, and 2.4 cm, respectively. Height loss 12 years later was significantly predicted by cortical erosion in 1968, 1980, and 1992. Significant shrinkage over 12 years was also predicted by sparse trabeculation in 1968, 1980, and 1992. Consistent findings were seen, except for cortical erosion in 1968 to 1980, in multivariable regression analyses adjusting for baseline covariates, including height, birth year, physical activity, smoking, body mass index, and education.

"Mandibular bone structure alterations such as severe cortical erosion and sparse trabeculation predicted height loss," the authors write. "They may therefore serve as proxy indicators when screening in the early phases of bone degenerative pathogenesis."

Abstract/Full Text