Osteoporosis in postmenopausal Saudi women using dual X-ray bone densitometry

Objective: A pilot study to evaluate prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporo sis in postmenopausal Saudi women. Method: Lumbar spine bone density was measured in 483 postmenopausal Saudi women 52-62 years of age (average 55 years), using dual X-ray absorptiometr y. Results: The results of the bone mineral density in gm/cm(2) was compared t o the peak bone density ire young healthy Saudi women (T-score) and to age matched group (Z-score). Based on the definition of World Health Organizati on, the T-score value was considered for analysis. Accordingly, 203 (42%) p atients were normal (mean Bone Mineral Density of 1.098 +/- 0.109, mean T-s core of -0.513 standard deviation; Z score of 0.434), 164 (34%) with osteop enia (mean bone mineral density of 0.893 +/- 0.134, mean T-score of -2.36 S D; Z score of -1.05), and 116 (24%) patients with osteoporosis (mean bone m ineral density of 0.795 +/- 0.142, mean T-score of -3.2 SD; Z score of -1.7 6. Conclusion: Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are not uncommon among postmenopaus al Saudi women and should be considered a matter of public concern. Bone de nsitometry should be used to classify patients, identify those who need the rapy. Further studies are needed to investigate the secondary causes of ost eoporosis and to determine the Vitamin-D level.