A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF BONE-MINERAL DENSITY CHANGE IN TAIWAN

In 1989, a cross-sectional study was carried out in Lin-Kou Township, Taiwan, to determine the distribution of bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine of Chinese people. Lumbar spine BMD was measured usi ng dual-photon absorptiometry in 404 healthy volunteers (266 women and 138 men, aged 15 to 83 years). In 1994-1995, 318 of the same voluntee rs were reexamined for the present study. Except for there being fewer males and smokers present, there were no significant differences betw een the second survey respondents and nonrespondents. Spine BMD decrea sed at over 1% per year in Chinese women over age 50, which was somewh at higher than reported for caucasian women. Since there was a loss of BMD in Chinese women after their 20s, a case can be made for starting preventive activities for female adolescents. There were no differenc es in the mean BMD change rates among the different age groups of Chin ese men. Baseline BMD, menopause, and weight change were associated wi th the lumbar spine BMD change rates in Chinese women. Body mass index was the only variable significantly associated with BMD change in Chi nese men. The rate of BMD change was not associated with diet.