Age, sex, and grip strength determine architectural bone parameters assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the human radius

The purpose of this study was to estimate the relation of some noninvasively derived mechanical characteristics of radial bone including architectural parameters for bone strength to grip strength and muscle cross-section. Sixty-three males between 21 and 78 yr of age and 101 females between 18 and 80 yr of age were measured at the nondominant forearm using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). We assessed the integral bone mineral density (BMDI) and content (BMCI) by pQCT at the distal and at the mid-shaft radius. Integral bone area (AreaI), cortical thickness (C-th), and a newly proposed index for bone strength; the stress–strain index (SSI) were also calculated. The dynamometrically measured maximum grip strength was taken as a mechanical loading parameter and muscle cross-section as a substitute for it. Sex, grip strength, BMCI and BMDI (distal radius) were identified in a multiple regression analysis to significantly predict bone strength as expressed by SSI, after adjusting for all other independent variables, including age and sex (p<0.0001). Grip strength was closest related to age, sex, BMDI and SSIp of the distal radius. The cross-sectional area of muscle was not significantly determining the grip strength within the analysis model. In conclusion, our results suggested that architectural parameters at the distal radius were better related to grip strength than to cross-sectional muscle area in both males and females. Maximum muscle strength as estimated by grip strength might be a stronger determinant of mechanical characteristics of bones as compared with cross-sectional muscle area.