Gastrointestinal health and serum proteins are associated with BMD in postmenopausal women: A cross-sectional study

Background With increasing age, the social and economic burdens of postmenopausal osteoporosis are steadily increasing. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods Postmenopausal women at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from January 2023 to December 2023 were recruited for BMD examination. The patients were divided into a normal group, an osteopenia group and an osteoporosis group according to their T value. Questionnaires, including the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and Short Form 12, were administered through face-to-face interviews. Bone turnover markers and serum protein levels of Fasting venous blood were detected. Results A total of 222 postmenopausal women met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in age, education, BMI, supplementation with soy products, supplementation with dairy products, supplementation with other nutritional supplements, exercise frequency, gastrointestinal symptom score, quality of life, 25(OH)D, total protein, albumin and prealbumin among the three groups (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that gastrointestinal symptoms (r = -0.518, P<0.01) was negatively correlated with BMD in postmenopausal women, while PCS (r= 0.194, P= 0.004), MCS (r= 0.305, P < 0.01), 25(OH)D (r= 0.531, P < 0.01), total protein (r= 0.324, P < 0.01), albumin (r= 0.341, P < 0.01) and prealbumin (r= 0.259, P < 0.01) were positively correlated with BMD. Conclusion Increasing age, low BMI, gastrointestinal disorders, decreased serum protein and 25(OH)D levels may contribute to an increased risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Supplementation with soy and dairy products and consistent exercise may prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.