ABSTRACT
Recently osteoporosis [OP] has emerged as a basic public health problem. It is characterized by low bone mass with micro architectural destruction of bone, resulting in increased bone fractures, morbidity and mortality. To evaluate the prevalence of OP using the local reference data of rural males of Fars and to compare it with WHO criteria, a total of 263 male adults, aged between 2-94 yrs, participated in this cross-sectional study. Bone Mineral Density [BMD] was measured by DXA. We utilized a fit curve method to determine the best age range over which to calculate Peak Bone Mass [PBM] and we used regression analysis for association of OP with age and Body mass index [BMI]. PBM was observed at the age range of 20-24 years, at the various sites. The prevalence of OP increased with age. It was negatively correlated with BMI and varied dramatically based on local versus WHO criteria. Based on local criteria, prevalence of OP in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total femur were 3.8%, 24.8% and 14.8%, respectively, and based on WHO criteria, they were 10%, 6.1% and 24%, respectively. Using local or WHO reference values for evaluation of OP may yield different prevalences. Therefore prospective fracture studies in correlation with the two above reference values are recommended