STUDY OF BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN LUMBAR SPINE AND FEMORAL-NECK IN A SPANISH POPULATION

The aim of this study was to generate standard curves for bone mineral density (BMD) in a Spanish population using dual-energy X-ray absorpt iometry (DXA), at both lumbar spine and femoral neck sites. The total sample size was 2442 subjects of both sexes aged 20-80 years, stratifi ed according to survival rates, demographic distribution by local regi ons and sex ratio in the Spanish population. Subjects with suspected c onditions affecting bone metabolism or receiving any treatment affecti ng bone mineralization were excluded. The study was carried out in 14 hospitals and bone density measurements were performed, using a QDR/10 00 Hologic device. In the female population, the highest value for lum bar spine BMD was found within the 30-39 years age group, being signif icantly lower after the age of 49 years. In the male population, the h ighest values for lumbar spine BMD are found one decade earlier than i n the female population and become significantly lower after the age o f 69 years. The highest values for femoral neck BMD in men and women w as found in the 20-29 year age group. Values for femoral neck BMD in t he female population become statistically lower after the age of 49 ye ars, while in the male population this effect was seen after the age o f 69 years. Values for femoral neck BMD were higher in men than women at all ages.