Unraveling the relationship between serum parathyroid hormone levels and trabecular bone score: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The TBS is a new method for clinicians to assess bone quality. It is directly related to the mechanical strength of bone and helps predict fracture risk. The present analysis aimed to the associations between serum PTH level and TBS by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods. A total of 3516 participants from the NHANES 2005–2006 were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Independent variables were serum PTH, which a key role in mineral homeostasis and bone metabolism. Outcome variable was TBS. The associations of serum PTH levels with TBS was examined using multivariable linear regression models. Results. After adjusting for covariates, there was a negative association between the serum PTH level and TBS (β= -0.0034; 95% confidence interval, -0.0050– -0.0017). However, in the subgroup analysis stratified by gender, race, and age, this association became negative only in Non-Hispanic White (β = − 0.0047, 95% CI: − 0.0071– − 0.0048) and young people (age＜60) (β = − 0.0036, 95% CI: -0.0057, -0.0016). In addition, the association of serum PTH with TBS was an inverted U-shaped curve, with a point of inflection a 6.71 pmol/L. Conclusion: This study showed that serum PTH levels were negative associated with TBS. This finding indicated that maintaining PTH at low levels may be beneficial to bone health, especially for young non-Hispanic white.