title: The relationship between the calcaneal bone mineral density and the mental index in post-menopausal females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the bone mineral density in the calcaneus and the mental index (MI) of the mandible in post-menopausal females, and to evaluate the diagnostic threshold of the index.
  
  
  METHODS
  The post-menopausal females aged 50 years and older were examined using panoramic radiography of the mandible for mandibular cortical width measurements at the mental foramen (mental index, MI) determination and DXL Calscan P/N 031000 (Demetech AB, Solna, Sweden) for the examination of calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD). The statistical analysis was performed to determine the tendencies between the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the T-score values of calcaneal BMD, the subjects were distributed into T1, T2 and T3 groups. BMD differences between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The panoramic radiographic examination of the mandible was performed, MI (mm) was determined and the mean values in the groups were calculated. The differences of MI mean values between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In the general group, a statistically significant relationship was found between calcaneal BMD, T-score and MI (p < 0.001). In the logistic analysis, the diagnostic threshold of MI was 3 mm (sensitivity 73.5%; specificity 72.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A diagnostic threshold for MI of 3 mm or less is suggested as the appropriate threshold for referral of calcaneal BMD reduction.
authors: Department of Dental and Oral Pathology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania. egle.jagelaviciene@takas.lt
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Jagelaviciene
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Krasauskiene
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Zalinkevicius
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kubilius
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Vaitkeviciene
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002680:Chin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014504:Urban Health