Assessment of radiomorphometric and radiomorphologic indices in postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT

Osteoporosis, the most common metabolic disease, significantly decreases bone mineral density especially among post menopausal women. Techniques of screening osteoporosis are very expensive and needs the skill of an expert. The aim of this study was to assess the radiomorphometric and radiomorphologic indices in post menopausal women. This cross sectional, descriptive and analytical study was performed on 40 postmenopausal women who were referred to the oral and maxillofacial radiology department of the dental faculty in 2004. Mental index [MI], panoramic mandibular index [PMI], mandibular cortical index [MCI] and gonial index [GI] were assessed on their standard panoramic radiographs. Age, menopausal duration, dental condition, educational level, history of fracture and number of deliveries were also recorded and data was analyzed using T test, Man-whitney test, Pearson and Spearman correlation test and regression analysis. Age and menopausal duration have inverse significant correlation with GI, PMI and MI and direct significant correlation with MCI [p<0.001]. Dental condition and educational level significantly correlate with MI [p=0.03, p=0.04] and PMI [p=0.01, p-0.03] while, had no significant correlation with MCI and GI. Number of deliveries and history of fracture had no significant correlation with any of indices. Age and menopausal duration have more effect on MI, PMI, GI and MCI. MI and PMI correlate with more variables and they might be useful for prognosis and screening those patients with low bone mineral density