Bone mineral density measurements using the Hologic QD2000 in 175 Singaporean women aged 20-80.
OBJECTIVE
The first aim is to obtain a reference database of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements for Singaporean women across different age groups and to compare this with an American database using the same machine. The second is to study the lifestyle factors that may influence bone mass in these women.


METHODS
Subjects were recruited from hospital staff and their relatives. They needed to fulfil inclusion criteria and those with confounding factors such as being on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were excluded. A lifestyle questionnaire was administered.


RESULTS
Across every five-year age band, the mean BMD measurements of the Singaporean women were 3%-8% lower than their American counterparts at the AP spine and 6%-11% lower at the femoral neck. 40.6% either drank milk, ate cheese or took calcium supplements everyday. 16.6% did some form of weight bearing exercise at least once a week.


CONCLUSIONS
A local reference database is needed for the accurate interpretation of BMD measurements as there is significant variation compared to Caucasian values.
Leong
K H
KH
Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Feng
P H
PH
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000295:instrumentation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D015519:Bone Density; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People