BONE LOSS AFTER HYSTERECTOMY WITH OVARIAN CONSERVATION

Objective: To examine the long-term effects of hysterectomy with conservation of the ovaries on bone density of the lumbar spine and proximal femur. Methods: A cross-sectional study of the bone density of 40 postmenopausal women who had undergone hysterectomy with ovarian conservation before menopause compared with a matched group of 40 women who had not had hysterectomy. The 40 women who had undergone hysterectomy were also compared with a control population, using multiple linear regression analysis. Bone density of the femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured by quantitative digital radiography. Results: Bone density in the hysterectomy group Was significantly reduced at the spine (P < .05) and at the femoral neck (P < .05) compared with the matched group. Comparisons of the hysterectomy group with the reference group demonstrated that in addition to significant reductions in bone density at the spine (P < .05) and hip (P < .05), bone density at the femoral neck (P < .05), trochanter (P < .05), Ward's triangle (P < .05), and the second (P < .05) and fourth (P < .05) lumbar vertebrae was also signifitcantly less in the hysterectomy group. Conclusion: Premenopausal women who have hysterectomy will have significantly lower bone density than controls, despite conservation of both ovaries at the time of surgery.