Bone mineral density and fracture threshold in South Indian elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate bone mineral density and fracture threshold in South Indian elderly and to correlate BMD with risk factors.


METHODS
A prospective study of estimating bone mineral density (BMD) was done in 116 elderly patients from the out-patient Department of Geriatric Medicine, Government General Hospital, Chennai. Bone density was estimated using dual X-ray absorptiometry scan. (Dexa Scan-Model Hologic QDR 1000). The BMD, 'T' score and 'Z' score were estimated.


RESULTS
Of 116 patients (53 males, 63 females) 38 had sustained fractures. BMD in 61-70 years age group was 0.765 and 71-80 years age group was 0.735 and 81-90 years was 0.821. BMD in fractures cases was 0.720 and non-fracture cases was 0.80. The average BMD in female patients were 0.78, 0.76, 0.74, 0.575 after 10, 20, 30, 40 years of menopause, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests a BMD value of 0.72 as a fracture threshold in South Indian elderly. Increasing age and post-menopausal state negatively correlates with BMD as in Western studies.
Usha
G
G
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Government General Hospital and Madras Medical College, Chennai.
Krishnaswamy
B
B
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors