Bone mineral density and fracture threshold in South Indian elderly.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To estimate bone mineral density and fracture threshold in South Indian elderly and to correlate BMD with risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of estimating bone mineral density (BMD) was done in 116 elderly patients from the out-patient Department of Geriatric Medicine, Government General Hospital, Chennai. Bone density was estimated using dual X-ray absorptiometry scan. (Dexa Scan-Model Hologic QDR 1000). The BMD, 'T' score and 'Z' score were estimated. RESULTS: Of 116 patients (53 males, 63 females) 38 had sustained fractures. BMD in 61-70 years age group was 0.765 and 71-80 years age group was 0.735 and 81-90 years was 0.821. BMD in fractures cases was 0.720 and non-fracture cases was 0.80. The average BMD in female patients were 0.78, 0.76, 0.74, 0.575 after 10, 20, 30, 40 years of menopause, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a BMD value of 0.72 as a fracture threshold in South Indian elderly. Increasing age and post-menopausal state negatively correlates with BMD as in Western studies.