Prevalence of osteoporosis in women older than 50 years old in Bushehr port

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone, leading to enhanced bone fragility. Prevalence of osteoporosis increases with age. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis in women older than 50 years old in Bushehr port, irrespective of osteoporosis risk factors. A total of 406 women over 50 years old were selected from 13 cluster areas of Bushehr port using random sampling method. We used dual x-ray absorptimetry (DXA) for measuring bone mineral density of femoral neck and lumbar areas. Demographic data, smoking, physical activity, daily intake of vitamin D and calcium, body mass index and waist to hip ratio were recorded for each women. Mean BMDs of lumbar spine and femoral area were 0.944 (±0.844) g/cm2 and 0.842 (± 0.181) g/cm2, respectively. BMDs had a trend to decrease with increasing age (P<0.0001). The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in lumbar spine were 32.0% and 7.4%, respectively and the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in femur were 29.6% and 3.9%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between normal women and osteoporotic women in secondary osteoporosis risk factors. But osteoporotic women had more history of present or past smoking in comparison to normal women (P<0.05). Prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women older than 50 years old in Bushehr port is less than USA, Europe and Tehran populations.