Ethnic differences in bone health

There are differences in bone health between ethnic groups in both men and in women. Variations in body size and composition are likely to contribute to reported differences. Most studies report ethnic differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), which do not consistently parallel ethnic patterns in fracture rates. This suggests that other parameters beside aBMD should be considered when determining fracture risk between and within populations, including other aspects of bone strength: bone structure and microarchitecture, as well as muscle strength (mass, force generation, anatomy) and fat mass. We review what is known about differences in bone-densitometry-derived outcomes between ethnic groups and the extent to which they account for the differences in fracture risk. Studies are included that were published primarily between 1994 and 2014. A “one size fits all approach” should definitely not be used to understand better ethnic differences in fracture risk.

Introduction

There are differences in fracture risk between ethnic groups in both men and in women across the globe. It is important to understand the underlying phenotype that contributes to these differences in order to be able to determine strategies for the prevention of osteoporosis and bone fragility in an ever-changing environment. Most studies report ethnic differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), which do not consistently parallel ethnic patterns in fracture rates. Variations in body size and composition are likely to contribute to reported differences.

Traditionally, aBMD (g/cm²) measured by single and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or photon absorptiometry (SPA/DPA) is used as a surrogate for bone strength and fracture risk. DXA superseded SPA/DPA over 30 years ago. DXA has many advantages, including good precision, low radiation dose, and ability to scan skeletal sites most prone to osteoporotic fracture. Areal BMD predicts fracture and in Western White older adults, a 1-SD decrease in aBMD leads to 2.6-fold greater fracture risk (1). However, DXA only measures aBMD (g/cm²), projectional bone area (cm²), and bone mineral content (BMC, g) and as such does not fully account for bone size because it cannot account for differences in bone depth. Additionally, DXA is an average value across all bony elements within the periosteal envelope and so does not assess the separate compartments within bone (cortical or trabecular), bone structure (size and shape), organization within the periosteal envelope (e.g., cortical thickness), microarchitecture (e.g., trabecular thickness, number, cortical porosity), or bone metabolism, all of which are important components of bone strength. The aforementioned limitations are thought to be the basis for the inadequacies of aBMD in predicting fracture in different ethnic groups (2). The advancement of imaging technology to include central, peripheral, and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (QCT, pQCT, and HRpQCT) has enabled the measurement of volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), the structural dimensions, and internal organization of cortical and trabecular bone and to give in vivo estimates of bone strength. With its greater spatial resolution (82 μm), HRpQCT also measures trabecular and cortical microarchitecture; it measures trabecular number directly and provides indirect estimates of trabecular bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, and bone strength (3).

Throughout this review, ethnicity has been used to group individuals according to a mix of cultural and other factors including geography, language, diet, religion, ancestry, and physical features traditionally associated with race. The glossary in Table 1 has summarized and defined each ethnic group that is discussed in this review.

TABLE 1

Table 1. Classification of ethnic groups.

This review focuses on evidence from studies using bone-densitometry techniques and those reporting fracture incidences. With the aforementioned technical developments and the recognition of the limitations of DXA, recent studies have focused on describing ethnic differences in bone structure and bone microarchitecture and the extent to which these may contribute to differences in fracture risk. However, as this review highlights, there are still relatively few data available outside of US, particularly in populations where fracture incidence is predicted to rise over the coming decades.

Fracture Incidence and BMD Across the Globe

Global data on adults suggest that, compared to age-matched White-American or British/European populations, other ethnic groups have a lower incidence of fracture (Figure 1). There is a >10-fold variation in age-standardized hip fracture risk across 63 countries and a notable divide between Western and Eastern populations (4–6). Most recently, Cauley et al. (5) showed greater variability in incidence and geographic pattern for clinical vertebral fractures than for hip fracture; it should be noted that for radiographically confirmed vertebral fractures the global pattern incidence was similar to that for hip fracture (5). Globally, the lowest fracture rates are in populations with African ancestry (6), but there is a sparcity of data from the African continent, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa (5, 7, 8). In the late 1960s, Solomon et al. described differences between White and Bantu populations in adult fracture incidence to be similar to those reported in North-America between Black- and White-Americans (9). Data from Cameroon suggest similarities to populations from the developed world because women have higher incidence than men of low trauma fracture to the hip and wrist (10). Further data are required to confirm the generalizability of this observation. With a rising life expectancy, increasing “Westernization” of African populations, better survival for individuals with HIV, and increasing non-communicable disease risk fracture incidence is also expected to rise and should be better characterized (5, 7, 10, 11). In Asian populations, a 15-fold increase in hip fracture incidences was reported in studies from Japan and Hong Kong (12, 13). Compared to Western populations, there also appear to be sex differences in the patterns of incidence where in China there were no sex differences and in Thailand, men have greater hip fracture incidence (14, 15).

FIGURE 1

Figure 1. Hip fracture rates for men and women combined in different countries of the world categorized by risk. Where estimates are available, countries are color coded red (annual incidence >250/100,000), orange (150–250/100,000), or green (<150/100,000) (6).

To date, the majority of large population studies have used aBMD measured by DXA as a proxy for fracture risk to study ethnic differences in bone health. In men, data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) showed that Black-Americans had a higher mean femoral neck and total hip aBMD compared to White-American men (16); these differences were similar to reported fracture rates between these ethnic groups (17). The osteoporotic fractures in men study (MrOS) used QCT and showed that Black-American and East Asian-American men had higher bone strength compared to White-American men due to greater vBMD at the femoral neck (18). Data from UK-cohort of the European Male Aging Study (EMAS) compared White-British men to a group of Afro-Caribbean British and South-Asian British men. The Afro-Caribbean British group had higher aBMD at all sites compared to South-Asian British and White-British, both before and after adjustment for body size (19). However, vBMD of the distal radius assessed using pQCT was not different between the groups (20).

One of the largest multi-ethnic studies, the National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (NORA) study (NORA) showed that Black-American women had higher, and Asian-Americans¹ lower, aBMD in the study population (2). Even after adjusting for body weight and other risk factor covariates, the greater aBMD in Black-American women persisted; however, Asian-American women had similar values to White-American women (2). Despite lower aBMD in Asian-American women, studies have shown lower rates of fracture compared to White-American women (2). In UK, South-Asian women had lower aBMD than White-British women before appropriate adjustment for body or bone size, thereafter there were no differences between groups (21, 22). Similarly, Chinese women had lower aBMD than White-British women; after adjustment for body size, these differences were attenuated (23). Furthermore, despite a lower size-adjusted BMC at the lumbar spine, hip, and radius in Gambian women compared to White-British women (independent of height and weight), there was a lower incidence of fracture among Gambian women (24), suggesting that there are other factors contributing to the lower fracture risk seen in Gambian women. Taken together, all of the studies discussed in this section suggest that there may be other components of bone strength that should be studied to help to better predict fracture risk in different populations.

Ethnic Differences in Bone Structure

Earlier studies of bone structure show differences in body-segment proportions (sitting and standing height) and also in cortical parameters measured using histomorphometry, which may contribute to ethnic differences in fracture rates (25, 26). The most recent studies also demonstrate that bone structure and microarchitecture are different in ethnic groups and these variations are likely to contribute to the ethnic differences in fracture rates.

Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

The Study of Womens Health Across the Nation (SWAN) study reported no differences in aBMD between Chinese-American, Japanese-American, and White-American women, but bone structure varied greatly (27). Femoral neck cross-sectional area (total bone surface in a cross-section, exclusive of soft tissue spaces and pores) and section modulus of the hip, measured by DXA, were higher in Japanese-American compared to White-American women (27). A greater section modulus in Japanese-American women would give better resistance to axial compressive and bending stresses. In the previously described studies of Gambian and Chinese women, compared to White-British women, ethnic differences in hip axis length (HAL) have been reported, in addition to the aBMD differences (23, 28, 29). Of the three groups, Gambian women had the shortest HAL after correction for height. Similarly, in a study in British men, HAL was shorter in Afro-Caribbean British men compared to White-British and South-Asian British men (19); similar results were reported in Gambian-British compared to White-British men after correcting for weight and height (28). A longer HAL has been associated with a higher risk of hip fracture, and is considered to be a risk predictor for hip fracture (30). And so, it is likely that these structural differences, in part, explain differences between ethnic groups of hip fracture incidence (28, 31).

Quantitative Computed Tomography

In UK, there are only sparse data on bone structure measured by axial or peripheral QCT. Pre-menopausal South-Asian British women had lower cortical vBMD, BMC, and thinner cortices at the radial diaphysis compared to White-British women; this was independent of age, height, and weight (32). Despite lower BMC in the South-Asian British women, bone strength, as estimated using the strength strain index (SSI) was similar. This suggests that bones of pre-menopausal South-Asian British women may be efficiently adapted to a lower BMC as a result of a different distribution of bone mineral within the periosteal envelope, thereby preserving bone strength (32, 33). In contrast, another study has shown that post-menopausal South-Asian British women have lower SSI and fracture load at the radius and tibia despite having thicker cortices and higher vBMD; bone cross-sectional area was smaller (34).

In MrOS, Black-American and Asian-American men had thicker cortices, measured using axial QCT, than White-Americans, which led to greater bone strength at the hip (18). Similarly, greater estimated bone strength was found in Afro-Caribbean British and South-Asian British men compared to White-British men. Lower strength in the White-British men was due to smaller bone size at the mid-shaft radius (20).

High-Resolution pQCT

Due to the relatively recent introduction of HRpQCT, there are only limited data using this technology. In a comparison of pre-menopausal women from US, Chinese-American women were shown to have smaller bones, with higher cortical vBMD and different trabecular microarchitecture than White-American women (35, 36). They appeared to have a structural advantage in their trabecular microarchitecture compared to White-American women, with larger, more plate-like trabecule, and a greater plate-rod junction density, which indicates the number of trabecular network connections (35). As plate-like structure contributes to a greater proportion of bone strength than the rods, these structural differences may explain the lower fracture risk in this group of women. Currently, there are no other data using HRpQCT to compare differences in bone structure. Lower fracture risk in African-American women is likely due to thicker cortices and better trabecular microarchitecture, both of which would be reflected in higher aBMD (a composite measurement of trabecular and cortical bone) previously reported in this ethnic group (37).

Ethnic Differences in Body Composition

There are major differences in body habitus (fat mass, muscle mass, height, and weight) between ethnic groups (Table 2), which should be considered when studying differences in bone between and within different ethnic groups (38). For example, Chinese-American and Gambian women have a low BMI, which is a risk factor for fracture (Table 2) (2, 24). In post-menopausal women, a higher body weight is considered to be protective against fracture due to increased load (from greater muscle and fat mass) on the skeleton and also with fat accumulation providing padding during a fall (39). This is indicated in Black-American women who have greater fat and lean mass and aBMD, and lower fracture risk, compared to White-American women (40) (Table 2). A recent meta-analysis reported that muscle mass exerts a greater positive influence on aBMD than fat mass in men and women combined (41). However, increased weight appears to provide only partial protection, with an audit of fracture cases in UK and results from the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women showing that obesity was a risk factor for fracture (42, 43). Those who fractured did not have a low aBMD (43), indicating the insensitivity of aBMD to predict fracture.

TABLE 2

Table 2. Ethnic differences in body composition in women and men.

The NORA and SWAN studies (2, 44) emphasized the importance of taking into account body weight when quantifying differences in aBMD between Asian-American (Chinese and Japanese) and White-American women. Correcting for body weight decreased or reversed the differences in the total hip or spine aBMD between Asian-American (Chinese and Japanese) and White-American women (2, 44, 45). Similarly, correcting for body size attenuated differences in aBMD at the hip, lumbar spine, and total body in South-Asian British (Pakistani and Gujarati) women compared to White-British women (22, 46).

There is a gap in the literature regarding the differences in body composition between men of different ethnicities (Table 2). The studies mentioned in Table 2 demonstrate that there are differences in muscle mass between ethnic groups. These studies also show that it is important to interpret aBMD from DXA with caution if bone area, height, and weight (or its component parts) are not adequately accounted for, as it may lead to misinterpretation of results (46).

Ethnic Differences in the Muscle–Bone Relationship

Muscle strength is a composite term that describes muscle mass and anatomy (including intramuscular fat accumulation), force generating capacity and power (33). Muscle contractions are considered as the primary source of load upon the skeleton, more so than body weight, even in weight bearing bones (47). Given the differences in lean mass discussed in the previous section, it is likely that muscle force and power will also be different between ethnic groups, which are likely to contribute to differences in vBMD, size, shape, and distribution of bone. Measurements of muscle mass or cross-sectional area incompletely represent changes in muscle strength (48). Techniques to quantify the functional aspects of muscle strength include grip force, jumping mechanography, dynamometry, and electromyography. These dynamic tests give more accurate estimations of muscle strength than using muscle mass alone (46). Preliminary data from the EMAS demonstrated ethnic differences in the relationship between muscle force and power and age (20, 49).

There is a gap in the literature, because no studies published to date have investigated the relationships of muscle mass and function with vBMD, bone size and shape, and/or microarchitecture between ethnic populations. Differences in muscle force and power may partly underlie the ethnic differences in fracture incidence.

Conclusion

Fracture incidence varies between ethnic groups. Despite its many advantages, it is now recognized that the variance in fracture rates between ethnic groups cannot solely be explained by DXA. The studies described in this review highlights that “one size does not fit all” and there is a need to understand differences in skeletal phenotype at different stages of life (e.g., pre- versus post-menopausal) and in different populations both within and across continents (33). The separate measurement of cortical and trabecular bone compartments, and bone shape, size, microarchitecture, and metabolism is important to fully understand the differences of bone strength between ethnic groups. This requires technologies that move beyond measurements aBMD/BMC by DXA and use of three-dimensional imaging devices like pQCT and HRpQCT. The investigation of muscle and bone relationships in ethnic groups is also critical to the development of more effective strategies to improve musculoskeletal health and function. Future studies are required to identify how differences in nutrition, cultural preferences, socioeconomic factors, sunshine exposure, and physical activity levels affect bone health between ethnic groups.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

This research is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) (program codes U105960371, U123261351) and the Department for International Development (DFID) under the MRC/DFID Concordat agreement.

Footnote

1. ^Residing in US, i.e., predominantly East Asian population

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