[Prevalence of osteoporosis in rural men of Fars based on both local and WHO reference data]

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

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults in a rural area

Metabolic syndrome [MS] is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Limited information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in rural areas of Iran. A total 1402 adults [1042 females and 360 males], aged between 18-90 yrs, participated in a community-based cross-sectional study. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was determined by the definition of the National Cholestrol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP ATPIII], and results were compared with those based on the revised ATPIII and International Diabetes Federation [IDF] definitions. Overall prevalence of ATP III defined metabolic syndrome was 25.6% compared to 29% and 33% using the revised ATP III, IDF definition respectively. The results of multiple logistic regression model showed after adjusting for age, sex, Body Mass Index [BMI], marital status, and education level, there was no difference between men and women for metabolic syndrome [P=0.2] by ATP III and revised ATP III definitions while prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 1.97 times greater in women versus men [95% Cl: 1.4 - 2.7, p< 0.001] by the IDF-definition. Sex-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome [by three definitions] increased 1.05%, for each one year increase in age [95% Cl: [1.04-1.06]]. In the current study, low serum High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [HDL-C] was the most common component of metabolic syndrome, while high fasting plasma glucose was the least common. These results show that the metabolic syndrome is prevalent in rural areas and interventional strategies should be considered for weight reduction and treating components of metabolic syndrome in this population