Forearm SXA densitometry in 1,122 Polish women - a cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate forearm bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) using singleenergy X-ray absorptiometry (SXA) in a group of Polish women that included both pre- and post-menopausal subjects.
Material and methods: The study was carried out in a cohort of 1,122 otherwise healthy women with no history of previous fractures.
Results: We showed a gradual decline of BMD and BMC with age, and the presence of suspected correlations of densitometric results with age and selected anthropometric parameters.
Conclusions: Our study confirmed the utility of densitometric screening using forearm SXA measurements. These measurements discriminated clearly between pre- and post-menopausal subjects. Densitometric results correlated negatively with age and age at menopause, but positively with anthropometric indices related to body and skeletal size. Age was the greatest factor in terms of impact on bone loss. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (1): 8-13)