Table 3.
Bone parameters by tertile of plasma n-3 PUFA (C18:3 (n3) Linolenic acid (ALA) + C20:5 (n3) Eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) + C22:6 (n3) Docosahexenoic acid (DHA)).
| Plasma Total n-3 PUFA Tertiles | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Sample (n = 301) | Lowest (<1.91) (n = 98) | Middle (1.91–2.79) (n = 101) | Highest (>2.79) (n = 102) | |||
| Median (IQR); n (%) | Median (IQR); n (%) | Median (IQR); n (%) | Median (IQR); n (%) | p Value | Adjusted p Value * | |
| Quantitative Bone Ultrasound | ||||||
| BUA, dB/MHz | 106 (14) | 99 (10) | 106 (15) | 108 (14) | 0.203 | |
| SOS, m/s | 1541 (35) | 1526 (29) | 1544 (38) | 1541 (36) | 0.531 | |
| Volumetric BMD (mg/cm3) | ||||||
| Total density (mg/cm3) | 305.7 (73.7) | 261.6 (71.5) | 303 (81.4) | 313.3 (80.3) | 0.124 | |
| Trabecular density (mg/cm3) | 163.1 (55.4) | 131.7 (54.7) | 164.5 (51.6) | 161.5 (62.9) | 0.72 | |
| Cortical density (mg/cm3) | 418 (109.9) | 350.3 (108.5) (a) | 416 (123.7) | 430.2 (98.9) | 0.048 | 0.013 |
| Bone morphometry (mm2) | ||||||
| Total area (mm2) | 300.4 (54) | 272.2 (59.5) | 300.4 (55.7) | 301.8 (48.8) | 0.373 | |
| Trabecular area (mm2) | 135.1 (24.4) | 122.2 (26.8) | 135.1 (25.1) | 136.6 (24) | 0.273 | |
| Cortical area (mm2) | 165.3 (29.9) | 150 (32.8) | 165.3 (30.6) | 167.1 (29.2) | 0.274 | |
| Bone Mineral Density | ||||||
| BMD L2-L4 (g/cm2) | 0.912 (0.205) | 0.815 (0.186) (a) | 0.907 (0.216) | 0.936 (0.232) | 0.011 | 0.043 |
| BMD L2 (g/cm2) | 0.901 (0.204) | 0.812 (0.171) (a) | 0.902 (0.193) | 0.933 (0.221) | 0.023 | 0.123 |
| BMD L3 (g/cm2) | 0.925 (0.229) | 0.821 (0.197) (a) | 0.924 (0.243) | 0.949 (0.226) | 0.033 | 0.074 |
| BMD L4 (g/cm2) | 0.914 (0.204) | 0.801 (0.184) (a) | 0.895 (0.203) | 0.954 (0.234) | 0.004 | 0.021 |
| Z-score (lumbar spine) | 0.3 (1.6) | −0.6 (1.3) (a) | 0.2 (1.7) (b) | 0.6 (1.6) | 0.001 | 0.034 |
| T-score (lumbar spine) | −1.3 (2) | −2.3 (1.8) (a) | −1.3 (2) | −1.1 (2.2) | 0.01 | 0.050 |
| BMD Femoral trochanter (g/cm2) | 0.759 (0.13) | 0.704 (0.107) | 0.753 (0.185) | 0.786 (0.149) | 0.239 | |
| BMD Femoral neck (g/cm2) | 0.611 (0.139) | 0.529 (0.125) (a) | 0.612 (0.136) | 0.644 (0.138) | 0.042 | 0.054 |
| Z-score (hip) | 0.5 (1.4) | −0.2 (1.1) (a) | 0.4 (1.7) | 0.8 (1.7) | 0.035 | 0.064 |
| T-score (hip) | −0.8 (1.3) | −1.3 (1.1) | −0.8 (1.7) | −0.5 (1.5) | 0.234 | |
| Bone health | ||||||
| Normal | n = 103 (34.2%) | n = 24 (23.3%) | n = 38 (36.9%) | n = 41 (39.8%) | 0.113 | |
| Osteopenia | n = 145 (48.2%) | n = 55 (37.9%) | n = 43 (29.7%) | n = 47 (32.4%) | ||
| Osteoporosis | n = 53 (17.6%) | n = 19 (35.8%) | n = 20 (37.7%) | n = 14 (26.4%) | ||
Between-group comparisons were performed using the Kruskal Wallis test or the Chi-square test as appropriate. (a) Poshoc analysis by Dunn’s test, p < 0.05 vs. higher tertile. (b) Poshoc analysis by Dunn’s test, p < 0.05 vs. higher tertile. * Adjusted by, age, years since menopause, BMI and vitamin D, calcium and energy intake (Quade’s test).