UTILITY OF DEXA SCANS AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL DETECTING OSTEOPOROSIS RISK IN PERI AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract

Background: Multifactorial etiology of osteoporosis is underestimated including genetic
predisposition, lifestyle and dietary modification, and pharmacological treatments. It is also vital to identify and eliminate the risk factors associated with osteoporosis owing to increased incidence in Indian perimenopausal and postmenopausal females.
Aim: The present study aimed to assess the risk factors for osteoporosis in peri and postmenopausal females of India.
Methods: The present study assessed 540 females in the age of perimenopausal and postmenopause reporting to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Institute. In all the females, serum calcium levels were assessed along with bone mineral density using DEXA (dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry) scanning in the lumbar spine and hip. The collected data were subjected to statistical assessment.
Results: The study results showed a significant association between lower serum calcium levels and osteoporosis with p<0.0001. For calcium >8.5%, normal BMD was noted compared to the high incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in serum calcium <8.5% with p<0.0001. Concerning medical disorders, a significant association was seen in BMD and chronic renal diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension with p=0.04, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively. Also, ex, exercise, and smoking had a significant association with BMD with p<0.0001 and 0.0002. Conclusions: The present study concludes that the DEXA standard has high efficacy in assessing bone mineral density and is highly productive in diagnosing osteoporosis in both appendicular and axial skeletons. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is higher in perimenopausal and postmenopausal females. However, the risk of osteopenia is higher in perimenopausal females. Overweight and obesity are preventive factors