We measured bone mineral contents of lumbar vertebrae (L1, L2, L3, L4) in 58 post-menopausal female volunteers (49-76 years old), using a quantitative computed-tomography method. We investigated age-related changes of bone mineral content, and analyzed the relation of bone mineral content to vertebral deformity and to physical characteristics. The following results were obtained: (1) There were highly significant correlations and some significant differences among bone mineral contents of L1, L2, L3 and L4. (2) Bone mineral content showed an apparently linear decline with age. (3) A significant negative correlation was observed between bone mineral content and the central deformity index of the vertebral body, but not for the anterio-posterior deformity index. (4) It was difficult to verify an association of bone mineral content with physical characteristics, such as height, weight, and body mass index.
