Assessment of bone mass in the elderly

ABSTRACT

The present study was planned to assess bone mass in elderly. Three groups were included in the study Group A included 10 elderly males, group B included 10 elderly females, while group C was represented by 5 young males [C1] and 5 young females [C2]. The study depended on two main parameters, radiodensitometric measurement of optical bone density and measurement of fasting urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio as an index of collagen turnover and activity of bone loss. In the present study, serum calcium was significantly reduced in group B, while marked osteopenia among elderly males and females was a constant feature of senescence. Both trabecular and cortical bones showed proportionate bone loss with nearly similar rates. The trabecular bone is not greatly influenced by menopause. Elderly females had an active bone loss proved by significantly high hyp/Cr ratio