Bone mineral density of the spine and femur in United Emirates women: relation to anthropometric, reproductive, and lifestyle factors

Establish normative data for bone mineral density [BMD] at the spine and femur in healthy United Arab Emirates [UAE] women, compare BMD of UAE women to other populations, and examine the relationship of BMD to anthropometric, reproductive, and lifestyle factors. Three hundred and one healthy UAE women volunteers aged 20-79 years were interviewed and studied by measurements of height, weight, body composition using bioelectric impedance, handgrip strength, and axial BMD using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Mean values for BMD of UAE women were compared to those of other Arabian Gulf women and to US/European Caucasian women. Mean standardized BMD of UAE women showed the expected decline with age after reaching its peak in the 4th decade for the spine and the fifth decade for the total femur Mean spine BMD was significantly lower than US/European Caucasian women across all age decades. Mean total femur BMD was significantly higher than US/European Caucasian women, except in the 3rd decade, where it was significantly lower peak standardized BMD [age range 20-39 years] of spine was significantly lower, than the reference range for US/European Caucasian women [-0.54 SD, P< 0.01]; however, peak standardized BMD of total femur was not significantly different. There were significant positive correlations between BMD, and weight, body mass index, free fat mass, percent body fat, handgrip strength, and walking duration. There were significant negative correlations between BMD, and age, poor health, years post menopause, number of pregnancies, and breast-feeding duration [P<0.05 for all comparisons]. Multiple regression analyses showed that age, weight, handgrip strength and number of pregnancies were significant predictors of spine BMD whereas weight, menopausal duration, and walking duration were significant predictors of total femur BMD. We have provided a database of BMD of the lumbar spine and total femur for healthy UAE women aged 20-79 years, and showed that UAE women, like other Arabian women, have lower peak BMD of the spine compared with US European Caucasian women. We have also demonstrated that multiparity, physical activity and weight are significant predictors of BMD in this population. These factors should be the subject of public health interventions to prevent osteoporosis

Bone mineral density of the spine and femur in United Arab Emirates women: relation to anthropometric, reproductive, and lifestyle factors

Establish normative data for bone mineral density [BMD] at the spine and femur in healthy United Arab Emirates [UAE] women, compare BMD of UAE women to other populations, and examine the relationship of BMD to anthropometric, reproductive, and lifestyle factors. Three hundred and one healthy UAE women volunteers aged 20-79 years were interviewed and studied hr measurements of height, weight, body composition using bioelectric impedance, handgrip strength, aid axial BMD using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Mean values for BMD of UAE women were compared to those of other Arabian Gulf women and to US/European Caucasian women. Mean standardized BMD of UAE women showed the expected decline with age after reaching its peak in the 4th decade for the spine and the fifth decade for the total femur Mean spine BMD was significantly lower than US/European Caucasian women across all age decades. Mean total femur BMD was significantly higher than US European Caucasian women, except in the 3rd decade, where it women significantly lower Peak standardized BMD [age range 20-39 years] of spine was significantly lower than the reference range for US European Caucasian women [-0.54 SD, P<0.01], however peck standardized BMD of total femur was not significantly different. There were significant positive correlations between BMD, and weight, body mass index, free fat mass, percent body fat, handgrip strength, and walking duration. There were significant negative correlations between BMD, and age, poor health, sears post menopause, number of pregnancies, and beast-feeding duration [p<0.05/or all comparisons]. Multiple regression analyses showed that age, weight, handgrip strength and number of pregnancies were significant predictors of spine BMD whereas weight, menopausal duration, and walking duration were significant predictors of total femur BMD. We have provided a database of BMD of the lumbar spine and total femur for healthy UAE women Aged 20-79 years and showed that UAE women, like other Arabian women, have louver peak BMD of the spine compared with US/European Caucasian women. We have also demonstrated that multiparity, physical activity and weight are significant predictors of BMD in this population. These factors should be the subject of public health interventions to prevent osteoporosis

Plasma TGF-B1 in asthma: Influence of inhaled steroids

The aetiology and pathophysiology of asthma remain complex. The role of systemic cytokines, especially Transforming Growth Factor B1 [TGF beta-1] and its response to inhaled steroids has not been explored before. Therefore, we studied plasma TGF-beta 1 levels in stable asthmatics on inhaled steroids. Asthmatics and age and sex matched controls were recruited prospectively from an outpatient department of a university hospital from January 2001 to February 2002. Information on asthma and its management including the status of inhaled steroid usage were collected by a questionnaire and subsequent review of medical records. Plasma TGF-beta 1 and serum IgE levels were estimated using established methods in our laboratory. The median age of the 40 patients was 26.5 [22.25 - 33.25] years. 18 patients were on regular inhaled steroids. Plasma TGF-beta 1 levels varied significantly between patients on regular inhaled steroids, not on steroids and controls [p=0.003]. The median TGF-beta 1 in asthmatics on inhaled steroids [1.4ng/ml, 1.16 - 1.92] was significantly lower compared to those not on it of asthma was not significantly different in atopic and non-atopic groups. Low plasma TGF beta-1 in asthmatics on regular inhaled steroids may reflect a better control of airway inflammation