Study of T-score across different age groups and gender in apparently healthy population in India

Abhishek Sinha; Rinku Garg

Volume : IX, Issue : I, January - 2020

Study of T-score across different age groups and gender in apparently healthy population in India

Abhishek Sinha, Rinku Garg

Abstract :

Introduction: Bone mineral density(BMD) is a common test done in our country. Traditionally, BMD has been reserved for postmenopausal females to check for risk of osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to check whether BMD score showed difference between males and females and across different age groups. Also, we tried to examine any correlation between Vitamin D and BMD values. Material and Methods: It was a cross–sectional observational study.118 healthy subjects of both genders were recruited. BMD was measured by dual energy X–ray absorptiometry(DEXA). Vitamin D was estimated by electrochemiluminescence. Statistical Analysis: Data was entered in to MS Excel and analyzed by STATA 12 software. Normality was analyzed. Mean and SD for all variables were calculated. Difference in T–score between males and females were calculated using T–test and T–score in different age groups was compared using one–way ANOVA test. Vitamin D levels were correlate with T–scores by Spearman�s correlation test. Results: Mean age of subjects was 51.31 years. Mean T–score was –1.40. Mean Vitamin D was 23.45 ng/ml. There was no significant difference between T–score of males and females. T–score was also not significantly different across age groups from 20 to 80 years. Vitamin D was not correlated with T–score in same subjects. Osteopenia was present in 74 subjects and osteoporosis in 11 subjects. Discussion: Contrary to popular opinion, T–score was not different between males and females, therefore there is a need for uniform BMD criteria for both genders. Vitamin D levels alone are unreliable as they do not correlate with T–score. Conclusion: Thus, there is a need for revised T–score guidelines and additional tests like serum calcium, BMI, serum parathormone which needs to be done and examined together with BMD and Vitamin D to identify bone demineralization in the population.