ABSTRACT
To establish an association between the angle of mandible on an orthopantomogram [OPG] with reduced bone mineral density of femoral neck and spine on Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DXA] scan. Cross-sectional study. Institute of Basic Medical Sciences [IBMS], Dow University of Health Sciences [DUHS], Karachi, from December 2011 to July 2012. Female subjects between 25 and 85 years of age were divided into premenopausal [Group-I] and postmenopausal [Group II] groups. Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DXA] scan was done to divide Group-I and Group-II into normal [pre A, post A], osteopenic [pre B, post B] and osteoporotic [pre C, post C] groups. Changes seen in angle of mandible on orthopantomogram [OPG] in subgroups of Group-I were compared with each other and with subgroups of Group-II. SPSS version 16 was used to carry out the statistical analysis. Intragroup significance was evaluated through One Way Analysis Of Variance [ANOVA]. For intergroup significance independent samples t-test was applied. The angle of mandible [A] was significantly decreased in Intragroup comparison of Group-II [0.035] between Post normal [Post A] vs. Post osteopenic [Post B] groups. Intergroup comparison between Group-I and Group-II [0.005] showed a significant decrease in angle of mandible between Pre osteopenic [Pre B] vs. Post osteopenic [Post B]. As decrease in angle of mandible was observed at stage of osteopenia, it can be conveniently used for early detection of osteoporosis