Associations between NHHR and Osteoporosis in the US NHANES Elderly Population

Background Recent research suggests that the ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHHR) is emerging as a possible marker for various health issues. However, its correlation with osteoporosis has not been explored. This study aims to explore how NHHR is linked to the likelihood of osteoporosis in older individuals. Methods The study examined the connection between NHHR and osteoporosis in people who are 50 years old and above, utilizing information from the 2005–2010 NHANES. Various statistical analyses were performed, including multivariate logistic regression, analysis using restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses, while controlling for relevant demographic and clinical factors. Results A total of 5548 individuals were included, with 313 diagnosed with osteoporosis. The examination reveals a notable negative correlation between NHHR and osteoporosis. Individuals in the top quartile of NHHR had a significantly reduced risk of osteoporosis in comparison to those in the bottom quartile [OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.44–0.90, P for trend = 0.004)].The analysis using RCS showed a non-linear connection between NHHR and osteoporosis ( P for overall < 0.001, P for nonlinear = 0.008). Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent findings across various demographic and clinical subgroups. Conclusions In individuals aged 50 and above, there is a significant correlation between elevated NHHR levels and a reduced likelihood of developing osteoporosis. This study demonstrates that NHHR may serve as a valuable marker for assessing osteoporosis risk in this population, suggesting that incorporating NHHR into routine clinical assessments could enhance early detection and prevention strategies for osteoporosis.