Self-rated health, forearm BMD and bone loss in men and women, a longitudinal study. The Health Study of Nord-Trøndelag (HUNT), Norway

Several studies have shown that self-rated health represents a good predictor of morbidity and mortality. Less is known whether self-reported health status and longitudinal change in self-reported health correlate with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone loss. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between perceived health status, its change and forearm BMD and bone loss in a non-selected sample of adult men and women.In 1995-97 all citizens aged >19 years (about 92,000) in the county of Nord-Trøndelag were invited to a multipurpose health survey (HUNT). Totally 18265 individuals were invited to forearm bone densitometry, and among them a 5% random population sample with 2779 (60%) men and women meeting. In 2001, 4.6 years after the first screening, follow-up densitometry was performed, and 1734 (62%) men and women from the 5%-sample attended. Mean age at baseline and at follow-up was 50.1 (range 20-85) and 54.6 years (range 24-89), respectively. BMD measurements were performed by single X-ray absorptiometry (Osteometer DTX 100) at the distal and ultradistal non-dominant forearm provided no previous fracture. Subjective health status was rated in four categories (1: poor, 2: not so good, 3: good and 4: very good) based on identical questions at baseline and follow-up.At follow-up 30% women and 22% men rated their health as poor or not so good (p