[Study on the prevalence rate of primary osteopenia in the middle-aged and the elderly population in some parts of China].
OBJECTIVE
To understand the distribution of prevalence rate of primary osteopenia (POPA) in the middle-aged and the elderly in some parts of China.


METHODS
Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured and questionnaire was administered to 5 600 people aged above 40 in five administrative areas in China, through a stritified-multi-steps-cluster sampling method.


RESULTS
The total prevalence rate of primary osteopenia in some parts of China was 15.8%, according to the most significant parts of the rate of loss. Of them, the prevalence rate of males was 20.0% compared to 12.4% in females (P < 0.01); There were also differences on POPA prevalence among provinces, age groups and areas between urban and rural (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Although prevention and treatment of primary osteopenia were important strategy in males however it should not be ignored in females as well.
Li
N
N
Beijing Hospital, Ministry of Health, Beijing 100730, China.
Ou
P
P
Zhu
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors