Premature graying, balding, and low bone mineral density in older women and men: the Rancho Bernardo

OBJECTIVE:

The authors report the association of balding or graying with BMD in older adults.
METHOD:

BMD was measured at the spine, hip, and total body in 1,207 participants. Of these, 508 women and 380 men responded to a 1986 survey about balding patterns; in 1994, all participants answered questions about graying.
RESULTS:

Among men, 10.7% reported graying, and 51.1%, balding; 9.9% of women reported graying, and 9.5%, balding. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, calcium supplements, diuretics, glucocorticoids, thyroid hormone, and estrogen.
CONCLUSION:

Graying was not significantly associated with BMD in either group. Balding men averaged 5% lower total body BMD (p = 0.05), and balding women had ~24% higher mean hip BMD (p = 0.05). Graying and balding women reported a higher proportion of current estrogen use; balding women reported more use of glucocorticosteroids. Balding women using estrogen may explain the higher BMD.