# Relationship between systemic inflammatory response index and bone mineral density in children and adolescents aged 8-19 years: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2011-2016

## TL;DR

This study finds a link between inflammation levels and bone density in children and teens, suggesting inflammation could predict bone health risks.

## Contribution

The study identifies a nonlinear relationship between SIRI and BMD, with threshold effects and modulating factors like age and BMI.

## Key findings

- SIRI positively correlates with BMD at the pelvis, trunk, and whole body in children and adolescents.
- A one-unit increase in ln(SIRI) is associated with small but significant increases in BMD at specific body regions.
- Nonlinear analysis shows a saturation effect in the SIRI-BMD relationship at threshold values.

## Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) and bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents aged 8-19 years.

A cross-sectional design was used, utilizing NHANES data from 2011-2016, including 3,205 participants aged 8 to 19 years. Weighted multivariable regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between SIRI and BMD at the lumbar spine, pelvis, trunk, and whole body. Additionally, smooth curve fitting was applied to examine the nonlinear relationship between SIRI and BMD, and subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential interaction effects and modifiers.

SIRI was significantly positively correlated with BMD at the pelvis, trunk, and whole body (p < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, a one-unit increase in ln(SIRI) was associated with increases in BMD of 0.018 g/cm², 0.006 g/cm², and 0.005 g/cm² for the pelvis, trunk, and whole body, respectively. Nonlinear analysis revealed a saturation effect between ln(SIRI) and BMD, with a more pronounced impact at specific threshold values. Subgroup analysis indicated that gender, age, BMI and total calcium levels modulated the relationship between SIRI and BMD.

SIRI is significantly associated with BMD in children and adolescents, with a positive effect on BMD at specific threshold levels. This finding suggests that SIRI may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing the risk of low bone mineral density, offering theoretical support for the prevention and intervention of bone health issues such as osteoporosis.