Bone mass in physicians: a Howard University Hospital pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This observational cross-sectional study was done to determine bone mass in physicians and to determine if variables, such as calcium intake and exercise, were related to their bone mass.


METHODS
One-hundred physicians of different ethnicities (African, African American, Asian, Caribbean, and Hispanic) were studied. Using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), bone mass (BMD) of the lumbar spine and hips was measured. A validated questionnaire was used to determine the daily calcium intake and exercise. Student t-test, logistic regression, and Pearson chi-square were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
The study population consisted of 52% men and 48% women, with a mean age of 42 years old and a body mass index of 18.5 to 39.9 kg/m2. Low BMD occurred in 68% of the physicians (osteoporosis in 12%, osteopenia in 56%). Low calcium intake was found in 71%-14% of whom had osteoporosis and 49% osteopenia. Two-thirds of the physicians had inadequate exercise; 57% of this group had decreased BMD (osteoporosis in 9%, osteopenia in 38%). There was no statistical significance between BMD and calcium intake or exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
A high percentage of the physicians in this unique study had a reduced BMD. Most of the physicians with low BMD were less than 45 years of age. This study indicates the need to define BMD in a larger cohort of young, ethnically diverse clinicians, and other health workers.
Reyes
May O
MO
Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
Archer
Juanita A
JA
Nunlee-Bland
Gail
G
Daniel
Gilbert
G
Morgan
Odette A
OA
Makambi
Kepher
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000453:epidemiology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004219:District of Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010820:Physicians; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013662:Tea
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D013662:Tea