Abstract
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to
enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk. Correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual
energy X-ray absorptiometery (DEXA) and biochemical parameters (Urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, zinc and serum
estrogen) for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in pre and postmenopausal women of Karachi was carried out.
A total of 90 women including 50 post menopausal and 40 pre menopausal women were selected. There was no history of any drug
use for bone loss in both groups. Bone mineral density was measured by DEXA at the lumber spine (LS BMD) and total hip (H
BMD). Biochemical parameters were measured on biochemistry analyzer or on spectrophotometer by using Randox and biosystem
kits and serum estrogen was measured by using Enzyme Immunoassay.
Comparison of BMD measured at hip and lumbar spine shows that the BMD at hip was 0.80 ± 0.017, 1.09 ± 0.026 gm/cm2
in post and
pre menopausal women respectively which is significantly low in post menopausal subjects (P < 0.001). Similarly BMD at lumbar
spine shows 0.75 ± 0.017, 0.94 ± 0.016 gm/cm2
in post and pre menopausal women respectively which is also significantly low in post
menopausal women (P < 0.001). Distribution of postmenopausal women into normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic according to the
finding of BMD measured at hip and spine depicts that out of 50 post menopausal women, only 4 (8%) were normal, where as 22
women (44%) were osteoporotic and remaining 24 (48%) were osteopenic.
Biochemical parameters show that the mean urinary calcium, phosphate and zinc was significantly higher (P<0.001) where as estrogen
was found to be significantly decreased in postmenopausal women.
