Table 5.
Bone parameters by tertile of plasma n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA ratio.
| Plasma Total n-6/n-3 PUFA Tertiles | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Sample (n = 301) | Lowest (<6.79) (n = 98) | Middle (6.79–10.27) (n = 101) | Highest (>10.27) (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) | 105 (14) | 106 (14) | 107 (13) | 0.683 | |
| SOS (m/s) | 1541 (35) | 1540 (29) | 1539 (36) | 1546 (35) | 0.982 | |
| Volumetric BMD (mg/cm3) | ||||||
| Total density (mg/cm3) | 305.7 (73.7) | 298.2 (82.4) | 309.9 (74.7) | 308 (65.9) | 0.154 | |
| Trabecular density (mg/cm3) | 163.1 (55.4) | 162.1 (55.3) | 164.6 (62.3) | 164 (51.7) | 0.875 | |
| Cortical density (mg/cm3) | 418 (109.9) | 409 (120.6) | 429.3 (102.5) | 423.1 (107.2) | 0.099 | |
| Bone morphometry (mm2) | ||||||
| Total area (mm2) | 300.4 (54) | 299.5 (48.1) | 304 (51.2) | 294 (55) | 0.966 | |
| Trabecular area (mm2) | 135.1 (24.4) | 135.3 (21) | 136.8 (22.9) | 132.1 (24.8) | 0.88 | |
| Cortical area (mm2) | 165.3 (29.9) | 165.5 (26.1) | 167 (28.2) | 161.9 (30.3) | 0.883 | |
| Bone Mineral Density | ||||||
| BMD L2-L4 (g/cm2) | 0.912 (0.205) | 0.913 (0.252) | 0.92 (0.187) | 0.903 (0.194) | 0.152 | |
| BMD L2 (g/cm2) | 0.901 (0.204) | 0.886 (0.221) | 0.915 (0.196) | 0.884 (0.185) | 0.247 | |
| BMD L3 (g/cm2) | 0.925 (0.229) | 0.906 (0.266) | 0.942 (0.197) | 0.915 (0.197) | 0.3 | |
| BMD L4 (g/cm2) | 0.914 (0.204) | 0.926 (0.258) | 0.913 (0.186) | 0.916 (0.178) | 0.05 | |
| Z-score (lumbar spine) | 0.3 (1.6) | 0.3 (2.2) (a) | 0.3 (1.3) (b) | 0.1 (1.5) | 0.016 | 0.166 |
| T-score (lumbar spine) | −1.3 (2) | −1.3 (2.4) | −1.3 (1.8) | −1.4 (1.8) | 0.132 | |
| BMD Femoral trochanter (g/cm2) | 0.759 (0.13) | 0.756 (0.135) | 0.756 (0.121) | 0.762 (0.149) | 0.48 | |
| BMD Femoral neck (g/cm2) | 0.611 (0.139) | 0.607 (0.148) | 0.622 (0.12) | 0.606 (0.135) | 0.157 | |
| Z-score (hip) | 0.5 (1.4) | 0.6 (1.3) | 0.5 (1.5) | 0.5 (1.4) | 0.081 | |
| T-score (hip) | −0.8 (1.3) | −0.8 (1.2) | −0.8 (1.3) | −0.7 (1.4) | 0.413 | |
| Bone health | ||||||
| Normal | n = 103 (34.2%) | n = 38 (36.9%) | n = 39 (37.9%) | n = 26 (25.2%) | 0.194 | |
| Osteopenia | n = 145 (48.2%) | n = 42 (29%) | n = 46 (31.7%) | n = 57 (39.3%) | ||
| Osteoporosis | n = 53 (17.6%) | n = 19 (35.8%) | n = 15 (28.3%) | n = 19 (25.8%) | ||
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 intakes (Quade’s test).