K. Hoshi et al., CALCANEUS AND VERTEBRAE BONE-MINERAL DENSITY VALUES AND FRACTURE THRESHOLD, Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine, 174(4), 1994, pp. 333-341
The calcaneus bone mineral density values (BMDs) of healthy Japanese w
omen peaked at 20 to 26 years of age with 435+/-66 mg/cm(2) (mean+/-S.
D.), decreased 0.51% on the average every year thereafter until 45 yea
rs of age, 1.72% between 45 and 55 years (menopause) and 0.55% thereaf
ter. The vertebrae bone mineral density value peaked at 30 to 35 years
of age with 1.06+/-0.13 g/cm(2) (mean+/-S.D.), decreased 0.67% on the
average every year thereafter until 45 years of age, 1.23% between 45
and 55 years (menopause) and 0.70% thereafter. Mean -2.0 S.D. of the
peak bone mass was considered appropriate as the fracture threshold fo
r both the calcaneus and vertebra, judging from the BMDs of osteoporos
is patients.