The Prevalence of Osteoporosis by Forearm Densitometry Among Women in Muang District of Phitsanulok

Supawitoo Sookpeng; Patsuree Cheebsumon; Nipat Kittimanont

Authors

Supawitoo Sookpeng Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
Patsuree Cheebsumon Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
Nipat Kittimanont Primary Care Unit, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand

Keywords:

Prevalence, Osteoporosis, Phitsanulok, Women, Bone mineral density

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis in the middle aged and elderly women in Muang District of Phitsanulok according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the forearm was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) among 770 women aged between 35 to 79 years. The results revealed that the prevalence of osteoporosis in women aged 35-40, 41-45, 46-50, 51-55, 56-60 years and more than 60 years were 13.6%, 15.9%, 16.6%, 32.2%, 41.9% and 66.7%, respectively. There was a significant decline in bone density in relation to age (r= -0.414, p<0.01). The high prevalence of osteoporosis in elderly women living in the city district of Phitsanulok is a severe public health problem. Thus, health promotion to prevent osteoporosis in high-risk group is urgently required to combat this serious public health problem.