RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Relationship Between Low Bone Mineral Density and Varus Deformity in Postmenopausal Women with Knee Osteoarthritis JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 592 OP 597 DO 10.3899/jrheum.080699 VO 36 IS 3 A1 YASUSHI AKAMATSU A1 NAOTO MITSUGI A1 NAOYA TAKI A1 RYOHEI TAKEUCHI A1 TOMOYUKI SAITO YR 2009 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/3/592.abstract AB Objective. To assess the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and varus deformity arising from bone structural changes caused by knee osteoarthritis (OA) in postmenopausal women. Methods. This cross-sectional study involved 135 consecutive postmenopausal female patients who had varus knee OA and a Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2. Knee radiographs were obtained with the patient standing on one leg, and subjects were classified into 3 tertile groups according to femorotibial angle, which was taken as a measure of varus knee OA severity. We also measured the 3 subangles that make up the femorotibial angle, and focused on the varus inclination of the tibial plateau. BMD was measured in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and medial and lateral tibial condyles using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Differences between femorotibial angle tertile groups were assessed, and associations between femorotibial sub-angles and BMD values at various points were evaluated. Results. After adjustment for age and body mass index, there was no significant association between the varus inclination of the tibial plateau and lumbar spine BMD. A weak but statistically significant negative correlation existed between varus inclination of the tibial plateau and BMD at the ipsilateral proximal femur and lateral tibial condyle. Conclusion. Varus inclination of the tibial plateau was significantly more severe in the femorotibial angle tertile 3 group, and in patients with lower BMD in the ipsilateral lower limb. Varus knee OA may result not only from cartilage loss but also from structural changes of the bone.