title: Early Detection of Osteoporosis by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An early detection of osteoporosis through DEXA procedure will not only improve the disease management practices but also would help in impeding national productivity losses by mass screening and awareness. Our objective was to measure efficacy of DEXA procedure in early detection of osteoporosis and prevention of its complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case series observational study was designed to confirm the bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometery (DEXA). The duration of study was three years from November 2010 to October 2013. Subjects aged between 30 (when the risk of osteoporosis is low) to 60 (when osteoporosis is almost sure to be found).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred thirty patients were evaluated. There were 23 (6.96%) male and 307 (93.03%) female. Normal male were 09 (39.10%), osteopenia 11 (47.80%) and osteoporosis 3 (13%). Normal females were 72 (23.50%), osteopenia 140 (45.60%) and osteoporosis 95 (30.90%). P-value was more then 0.005 and not significant. Mean age was 48.73, minimum 30, maximum 60 and SD 7.247. Population category distribution was 243(76.6%) from urban and 87(26.4%) rural. In urban areas normal were 56(23%), osteopenia 113(46.50%) and osteoporosis 74(30.50%). In rural areas normal 25(28.70%), osteopenia 38(43.70%) and osteoporosis 24(27.60%). P-value was 0.567. Out of 330 there were 81(24.54%) normal, 98 ((29.69%) osteoporosis and 151 (45.75%) osteopenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteopenia was the most common diagnosis mostly in younger age group and early diagnosis of this problem can help prevent osteoporosis.
authors: Asadullah Makhdoom, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
authors: Asadullah
authors: A
authors: Makhdoom
authors: Muhammad Qasim Rahopoto, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
authors: Makhdoom
authors: M
authors: Rahopoto
authors: Khaleeque Ahmed Siddiqui, Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
authors: Khaleeque Ahmed
authors: KA
authors: Siddiqui
authors: Ghulam Ali Qureshi, Professor, Medical Research Center, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
authors: Ghulam Ali
authors: GA
authors: Qureshi
keywords: Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry; Osteopenia; Osteoporosis