Study data from University of Pittsburgh provide new insights into bone research.(Clinical report)

"Lead is stored in the skeleton and can serve as an endogenous Source for many years. Lead may influence the risk of fracture, through direct effects on bone strength or indirectly by disturbing neuromuscular function and increasing the risk of falls," scientists in the United States report (see also Bone Research).

"The objective of this analysis is to test the hypothesis that women with hi g her blood lead levels experience higher rates of falls and fracture. This vas a prospective cohort study of 533 women 65-87 yr of age enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures at two U.S. research centers (Baltimore. MD: Monongahela Valley, PA) from 1.986 to 1.988. Blood lead levels (in mu g/dl) were measured in 1990-1991 by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and classified as ''low'' (= 8; upper 15th percentile). Total hip BMD was measured by DXA twice, 3.55 yr apart. Information on falls was collected every 4 mo for 4 yr. Incident nonspine fractures were identified and confirmed over 10 yr. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI of fracture. Generalized estimating equations were used to calculate the incident rate ratio of falls (95% CI). The mean blood lead level was 5.3 +/- 2.3 (SD) mu g/dl (range, 1-21 mu g/dl). Baseline BMD was 7% lower in total hip and 5% lower in femoral neck in the highest compared with lowest blood lead group (p

The researchers concluded: "Blood lead levels are associated with an increased risk of falls and fractures, extending the negative ...