RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: i) To collect normative data for proximal femur bone mineral density (BMD) in South Indian women using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and ii) to study the rate and significance of hip bone mineral loss with advancing age in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty five women, whose age ranged from 16 to 84 years were studied. This sample was drawn randomly from general medical practice at KJ Hospital, Chennai, South India during November, 1997 to April, 1998. Of these 45 cases, 21 were pre-menopausal (mean +/- SD age = 30.9+/-8.8 years) and 24 post-menopausal (mean +/- SD age = 62.1+/-11.0 years). Subjects with secondary bone diseases were excluded. Also excluded were those taking any drugs known to affect calcium metabolism e.g., thiazide diuretics, oestrogen and calcium. Subjects were divided into seven decadal age groups from 15-24 years to 75-84 years. BMD of the right proximal femur was evaluated using a QDR-1000 DXA bone densitometer (Hologic Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts, USA). Data analysis was done with SPSS/PC statistical software package. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis showed significant (p < 0.001) negative correlations between all hip BMD variables at different regions of interest and patient's age. Relative to that at 30 years of age, rates of BMD loss in the neck of femur, trochanter, intertrochanter, total hip and Ward's triangle were 0.68%, 0.65%, 0.58%, 0.61% and 1.05% per annum respectively. Over the age of 65 years, the above mentioned regions BMD decreased by 0.91%, 0.84%, 0.72%, 0.78% and 1.66% per annum respectively. CONCLUSION: Normative data for proximal femur BMD in South India women have been evaluated and it may prove useful for diagnosing osteoporosis in the women of South India.