OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING - A STUDY OF IRISH FEMALES

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disease in adults. This study was designed to establish normal values bone mineral density in Irish females, age range 15 - 85 years. Five hundred and thirty-six subjects were included in the study. Measurements of lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry were similar to those found in UK and USA. Peak bone density 1.082 g/cm2 for spine and 0.966 g/cm2 for proximal femur were found in the 35 - 39 year old age group with a continuous decline in values with ageing. Twenty-four percent of the 50 - 59 year old subjects and 62% of those over 65 had bone mineral density > two SD below mean peak BMD for the spine. Subjects with internationally recognised risk factors were excluded from this study.