Differences between lactase deficient and nonlactase deficient women with spinal osteoporosis

Both osteoporosis and lactase deficiency are seen commonly in the United States. Since the latter may lead to avoidance of calcium sources and may exacerbate the bone disease in populations at risk, we studied lactose tolerance and histomorphometrically analyzed undecalcified transiliac bone biopsies in a consecutive group of postmenopausal women with the osteoporotic spinal compression fracture syndrome. Oral lactose tolerance tests prior to the biopsy clearly separated two groups. Sixty-five percent had abnormal test results. The bone biopsies in the lactase deficient group showed more osteoid volume and osteoid seam widths on examined trabecular bone. Analysis of tetracycline-labeled bone revealed significant increases in both single, double, combined single and double tetracycline labels, and the percent osteoid labeled with tetracycline. There was no difference in the calcification rates. These findings indicate different mineralization activity in lactase deficient patients, possibly reflecting their lower dietary calcium intake.