Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Indo-Asian immigrants are known to be at high risk of metabolic bone disease, but the prevalence of osteoporosis in this population is unknown. AIM: To compare the bone mineral at the lumbar spine and femoral neck of Indo-Asian immigrant women with that of age-matched Caucasian women. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: Women of Indo-Asian origin referred for bone density scans in the last five years were identified. The skeletal status of each was compared with an age-matched Caucasian control for bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and hip axis length was measured. RESULTS: At the lumbar spine, Indo-Asians had a significantly lower BMD than Caucasians (0.834 vs. 0.913, p = 0.008), but there was no significant difference when BMAD values were calculated (0.123 vs. 0.122). At the femoral neck, there was no difference in BMD (0.728 vs. 0.712, p = 0.5), and BMAD values were significantly higher among Indo-Asians than Caucasians (0.393 vs. 0.319, p = 0.022). Hip axis length was significantly shorter among Indo-Asian women (10.3 vs. 10.7, p = 0.009). DISCUSSION: Although Indo-Asian women appear to have lower spinal BMD than Caucasians, these differences disappear when BMAD values are calculated. While BMD is an areal density, not taking into account the 'depth' of the bone, BMAD is an estimation of volumetric density. Hence lower BMD values in Asians may be a size-related artefact. Longitudinal studies may be required to evaluate the use of BMD as a marker for fracture risk in this population.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/qjmed/hch017

Type

Journal article

Journal

Qjm

Publication Date

02/2004

Volume

97

Pages

95 - 99

Keywords

Aged, Bone Density, Female, Femur Neck, Humans, India, Lumbar Vertebrae, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Transients and Migrants, United Kingdom