Frequency and Clinical Correlates of Low Bone Mineral Density among Adults Attending a Tertiary Care Diagnostic Center

Author(s): Araf Reshad, Md. Moklesur Rahman, Nafisur Rahman, Jannatul Ferdaus

Background: Osteoporosis is a major global public health concern that primarily affects older populations and postmenopausal women. Reduced bone mineral density (BMD), which raises the risk of fracture, is the condition's defining feature. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and its clinical correlates among adults having their BMD evaluated at a tertiary care diagnostic center.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Square Hospitals Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 2022 to February 2023 among 826 adults who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning. BMD measurements were taken at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck. The participants were categorized as normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis based on WHO criteria. Age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were among the demographic information recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, including Chi-square tests, correlation analyses, and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: 90.8% of the population was female, and the mean age was 63.2±9.4 years. Osteoporosis was found in 30.9% of cases, and osteopenia in 50.6% of cases. 66.1% of participants had low bone mineral density at the femoral neck. While higher BMI demonstrated protective effects with a 12% reduction per unit increase (AOR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.85-0.92, p<0.001), advanced age independently increased osteoporosis odds by 5% annually (AOR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07, p<0.001). There was no significant predictor of sex. Age-BMD correlations were negligible, and correlation analyses showed a weak positive relationship between BMI and lumbar spine BMD (r = +0.148).

Conclusion: With more than 80% of the population having either osteopenia or osteoporosis, the study shows a high burden of low BMD. In tertiary care settings, age and BMI were found to be significant independent predictors, highlighting the necessity of focused screening and early intervention techniques.