Vol 57, No 5 (2006)
Original paper
Published online: 2006-11-06
Evaluation of bone mineral density on the basis of the results of studies of selected skeleton populations from the microregion of Brześć Kujawski
Endokrynol Pol 2006;57(5):494-500.
Abstract
Introduction: Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of the skeletal
system characterised by reduced bone strength leading
to increased risk of fracture. Bone strength is a combined
derivative of bone mineral density (BMD) and of bone tissue
quality. Osteoporosis is a serious medical problem because
of its complications, most frequently manifesting itself
in spine fractures, fractures of distal sections of the forearm
and, in later periods of life, hip fractures. Reduced
BMD is an independent risk factor of osteoporosis.
The goal of the study was an evaluation of bone mineral
density of the population inhabiting the micro-region of
Brześć Kujawski from the 11th century until the beginning
of the 19th century.
Material and methods: Human bones obtained from archaeological excavations at four archaeological sites: Kolonia (11th–13th centuries), SBK-4 (12th–16th centuries), Fara (14th–17th centuries) and Święty Duch (16th–19th centuries) and from the collections of the Katedra of Anthropology of the University of Łódź were subjected to study. Bone mineral densities of the skeleton populations were compared with those of the control group, namely the present living population of the Łódź Province. The incidence of osteoporosis was evaluated by densitometric assessment, which was performed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on a DPX device (LUNAR, USA).
Results: The densitometric measurements performed enabled differences to be identified in the mineral density of the osseous tissue. The skeletal groups studied were characterised by a significantly higher mean BMD than the contemporary living population. Changes in BMD indicative of osteopenia prevailed in women.
Conclusions: On the basis of the results obtained it cannot definitively be stated that the skeletal groups studied, despite their significantly higher BMD, were affected by a lower risk of osteoporosis and its complications. A continuation of studies on the mineral content of bones and on the relationship between the mineral content and bone mineral density is required.
Material and methods: Human bones obtained from archaeological excavations at four archaeological sites: Kolonia (11th–13th centuries), SBK-4 (12th–16th centuries), Fara (14th–17th centuries) and Święty Duch (16th–19th centuries) and from the collections of the Katedra of Anthropology of the University of Łódź were subjected to study. Bone mineral densities of the skeleton populations were compared with those of the control group, namely the present living population of the Łódź Province. The incidence of osteoporosis was evaluated by densitometric assessment, which was performed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on a DPX device (LUNAR, USA).
Results: The densitometric measurements performed enabled differences to be identified in the mineral density of the osseous tissue. The skeletal groups studied were characterised by a significantly higher mean BMD than the contemporary living population. Changes in BMD indicative of osteopenia prevailed in women.
Conclusions: On the basis of the results obtained it cannot definitively be stated that the skeletal groups studied, despite their significantly higher BMD, were affected by a lower risk of osteoporosis and its complications. A continuation of studies on the mineral content of bones and on the relationship between the mineral content and bone mineral density is required.
Keywords: bone mineral densityosteoporosisosteopeniaosteologydating
