COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN MALE AND FEMALES OF VARIOUS AGE GROUP

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Bone strength is indirectly assessed by Bone mineral density (BMD).
Out of many parameters assessing bone strength, BMD accounts for
near about 70% of bone strength. So BMD becomes most commonly
used parameter to measure bone strength.1 It is anaverage
concentration of mineral principallycalcium hydroxyl apatite per unit
area ofthe bone.2Bone mineral density measurements are done in order
to determine if there is low bone mass, to predict risk of future fracture
to determine which subject may need drug therapy and to monitor
subjects on drug therapy.3Bone density is highly correlated with bone
strength and with fracture risk. Osteoporosis and osteopenia aretwo
most common subclinical states of low level of BMD and these are the
greatest predictor ofrisk for bone fractures as per WHO.4In both the
gendersover the age of 50 years an age dependent decline in BMD is
seen.5Osteoporosis, the silent thief, usually remainsasymptomatic
until the weakened bone fractures.India is one of the largestaffected
countries in the worldoneout of eight males and one out of three
females in Indiasuffers from osteoporosis. Bone density
measurements are used to screen people forosteoporosis risk and also
to identify those who might benefitfrom measures to improve bone
strength.1 There are multiple options available for the measurementof
BMD. Out of which Dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) and
scans of axial skeletal sites are standard assessment toolto diagnose
low BMD, but its use is limited due to deleterious effectsof radiations,
highcost, lack of availability in remote areas.6 Quantitative ultrasound
scan (QUS) the ultrasound based bone densitometer known as is
relatively cheaper, without radiations, portable, and widely available
in India.7-9