Bone mineral density in young adult Egyptian women and its relations to different anthropometric measures

Background
Low bone mass often leads to osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fractures. Body composition is a new aspect that may contribute to an imbalance, leading to decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and general bone health.


Objective
This study was done to evaluate the BMD in young adult Egyptian women by using dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry (DEXA) technique and to identify probable relations between different anthropometric measures and BMD.


Patients and methods
This study was performed at the Internal Medicine Department of Al-Zahraa University Hospital from March 2019 to August 2019 on 80 adult Egyptian women. Their ages ranged from 18 to 40 years old. All study participants were subjected to anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist/hip ratio; assessment of body composition, including fat mass, lean mass, and water volume in the body, using bioelectrical impedance by body fat analyzer 905; and assessment of BMD using dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry technique at the lumbar spine, left femoral neck, and left forearm.


Results
Based on WHO diagnostic criteria, osteoporosis was present in 3.75% of samples, whereas osteopenia represented 25% of the cases. There were highly positive significant associations between BMD and each of weight, height, serum alanine transferase, and CA levels, and there was a positive significant association between BMD and each of age, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference.


Conclusion
A significant portion of adult women are at high risk of development of osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fractures. So young women in particular need to be aware of their vulnerability to osteoporosis. They can take steps early to slow its progress and prevent complications.