Reference Intervals for Bone Histomorphometric Measurements Based on Data from Healthy Premenopausal Women

This study has established the normal reference intervals for bone histomorphometric measurements derived from healthy premenopausal women, which is rarely available. We presented the static and dynamic bone histomorphometric data from trans-iliac bone biopsies in 62 healthy premenopausal women (19 blacks and 43 whites, ages 20–53 years). There were no significant differences in age and BMI between black and white women. Since there was no significant difference in bone remodeling between the two ethnic groups, we pooled data of all 62 premenopausal women to establish normal reference intervals for bone histomorphometry. The results provide normal reference intervals for both static and dynamic histomorphometric variables in cancellous and cortical bone of the ilium. None of the bone remodeling-related variables correlated with age or BMI. This study provides reference intervals for bone histomorphometric measurements in both cancellous and cortical bone of the ilium, which would be helpful in the evaluation of bone health in women.