Metacarpal cortical bone loss and osteoporotic fractures in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection

There has been considerable progress in recent years in our understanding of the patterns of cortical bone loss in the second metacarpal in archeological skeletal samples. Nevertheless, cortical data from reference skeletal collections are insufficient, and the possible connection of metacarpal cortical parameters with osteoporotic fractures has not been thoroughly addressed. As such, this article aims to identify and explain sex-specific and age-associated metacarpal cortical bone loss in a large sample (N = 302females: 154/males: 148) from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection. Another objective is to evaluate the association of cortical and demographic features with osteoporotic fractures. Age-related endocortical bone loss is significant in women but not evident in men. Periosteal accretion of the bone is absent in both sexes. Overall, there is a net loss of the cortical bone in women, whereas cortical bone strength seems to be preserved in men. The prevalence of osteoporotic fractures is similar in both sexes, with age at death significantly influencing the probability of exhibiting a fracture. Metacarpal cortical index does not seem to be an independent risk factor for osteoporotic fractures in this sample.Fundacao para a Ciencia e a TecnologiaPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BPD/74015/2010

Cortical bone loss in a sample of human skeletons from the Muge Shell middens

The Muge shell middens of Cabeco da Arruda, Cabeco da Amoreira and Moita do Sebastiao (central Portugal) have been key sites of archaeological research for 150 years, possibly working as residential sites occupied by semi-sedentary communities during the final Mesolithic. The purposes of this article include the biocultural assessment of metacarpal cortical bone fragility and its associations with age at death, sex and osteoporotic fractures in the Portuguese Mesolithic, as well as a diachronic comparison of cortical bone health in Mesolithic (N = 34) and modern reference (N = 219) samples. Cortical bone at the Muge shell middens displays age and sex-specific trajectories of periosteal apposition and endosteal bone loss, most likely associated with hormonal and behavioural/cultural influences. Metacarpal endocortical bone loss seems to increase with age at death in females, with a simultaneous expansion of the diaphysis. The overall pattern of cortical bone health is similar to the pattern observed in a reference skeletal collection, but elderly women from Muge seem to lose less cortical bone than late twentieth century counterparts from Coimbra. Two older males exhibited vertebral compression fractures, but only one is possibly related with bone fragility.Fundacao para a Ciencia e TecnologiaPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BPD/74015/2010