ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis [OP] is a growing health problem not only in women but also in men. Significant risk factors of OP include previous fragility fractures, hypogonadism, low calcium intake and use of bone resorbing medications amongst others. To find out risk factors in the induction of osteoporosis in apparently healthy Egyptian males. This study was carried out on one hundred apparently healthy men. Their age ranged from 30-65 years with a mean +/- SD of [44.65 +/- 8.3]. All of them were recruited from the workers of Assiut University Hospital during a period of one year. Complete clinical history included occupational history, smoking habits, physical activity and calcium intake. Complete clinical examination was performed. Laboratory investigations included serum calcium, phosphorus and osteocalcin. Bone Mineral Density [BMD] was measured with calcaneal ultrasound. Sixty three percent of participants were normal BMD, 37% had BMD, 26% were osteopenic and 11% were osteoporotic. Smoking was a strong predictor of BMD. A significant positive correlation was found between BMD and physical activity, body mass index, serum calcium and osteocalcin. Osteoporosis is not only a disease of females, but also it is a disease of males. Smoking, physical inactivity and low body index are significant risk factors. Low serum calcium, low serum osteocalcin and high serum phosphorus are biochemical risk factors of OP in males