Oxidative Balance Score Associated with Osteoporosis in Younger Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 Data.

Objective: To explore the association between oxidative balance score (OBS) and osteoporosis risk, as well as to identify the specific population group.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included the data of 5,413 participants using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves, logistic regression models, trend tests, and stratification analyses were used to evaluate the association between the OBS and osteoporosis risk. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to identify independent factors related to OBS. Finally, whether OBS played a mediating role in osteoporosis was evaluated using a mediation analysis.

Results: Patients with osteoporosis had a lower OBS, and a high OBS score was associated with a decreased risk of osteoporosis (p < 0.05). Further stratification analysis revealed that the relationship between OBS and osteoporosis was robust in the three models in female patients aged < 70 years, which was validated using a trend test (p < 0.05). Age and sex were independent predictors of osteoporosis and the OBS. The OBS was a mediator in the association between sex, but not age, and disease.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate a negative relationship between OBS and osteoporosis risk, which was pronounced in younger women and individuals aged < 70 years. Moreover, sex may be related to osteoporosis through the regulation of OBS.