Skeletal Microstructure in Caribbean Hispanic Women

Hispanic individuals are underrepresented in skeletal research. Bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture data are conflicting. We investigated skeletal health in elderly Caribbean Hispanic (HW), non‐Hispanic white (NHW), and non‐Hispanic black (NHB) women in a population‐based study in New York City. We utilized high‐resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HRpQCT), dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), and finite element analysis (FEA). Of 442, 48.4% were HW, 21.3% NHW, and 30.3% NHB. Adjusted analyses are shown. Compared to NHW, HW had 8.5% (p < 0.01) lower spine areal BMD (aBMD) and 5.1% lower trabecular bone score (TBS). The frequency of morphometric vertebral fractures did not differ between HW and NHW. By HRpQCT, HW had 2.9% higher cortical (Ct) volumetric BMD (vBMD), 7.9% greater Ct area (Ct.Ar) and 9.4% greater Ct thickness (Ct.Th) at the radius compared to NHW. Results were similar at the tibia but trabecular microstructure tended to be worse. Ultimately, failure load (FL) did not differ between HW and NHW at either site. aBMD was 3.8% to 11.1% lower at the spine, femoral neck, and radius in HW compared to NHB (all p < 0.001) and vertebral fractures were twice as common. Compared to NHB, HW had 7.7% to 10.3% lower Ct.Ar at both the radius and tibia as well as 8.4% lower total vBMD, 6.3% lower trabecular number, and 10.3% lower Ct.Th at the tibia associated with 18.2% and 12.5% lower FL at both sites, respectively. In conclusion, HW had lower spine aBMD and TBS versus NHW women, whereas microstructural differences at the radius and tibia were small and not associated with differences in FL. In contrast, HW had lower aBMD, as well as deteriorated radial and tibial microstructure associated with worse FL compared to NHB women. Our results provide insight into racial/ethnic differences in skeletal health, adding to data that may be used to improve osteoporosis screening and treatment in HW. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.