Approved Research

Association of Bone Mineral Density with Cardiometabolic Disease

Lay summary

Aims: To study the associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and cardiometabolic risk, and the roles of sun exposure, calcium supplements, and physical activity in those associations.

Scientific rationale: The causes of cardiometabolic disease are complex and still not fully studied.

It is important to identify modifiable risk factors for cardiometabolic disease. Low BMD is linked to cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. However, the causal associations are not yet confirmed. Therefore, as a largely preventable condition, low BMD could be a novel target to prevent cardiometabolic disease.

Project duration: 24 months

Public health impact: Our research will clarify the associations between BMD and cardiometabolic disease, and the roles of sun exposure, calcium supplements, and physical activity using this large cohort of UK biobank. The findings may help to build evidence-based strategies to reduce the burden of cardiometabolic disease.

Scope extension:

In this study, we will investigate the associations of bone mineral density (BMD) with cardiometabolic risk, and the role of sun exposure, calcium supplements, and physical activity in these associations.

Aim 1. To investigate the associations of bone mineral density with cardiometabolic risk in men and women. The primary outcomes of the study are the incidence of, and mortality from cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke) and type 2 diabetes, and mortality from all causes. The secondary outcomes are hypertension, dyslipidemia, etc.

Aim 2. To examine whether sleep quality, sun exposure, calcium supplements, and physical activity play roles in the associations between low BMD and cardiometabolic risk.

We will further investigate the roles of bone mineral density (BMD) in the associations between opioid use and cardiometabolic risk.

Aim 3. To investigate the associations of opioid use with cardiometabolic risk, and the role of BMD in the associations between opioid use and cardiometabolic risk.

Aim 4. To examine whether calcium intake, sun exposure, and vitamin D attenuate the effects of opioid use on cardiometabolic risk.