Establishment of Age-Specified Bone Mineral Density Reference Range for Indian Females Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

We undertook this study to establish age-specified bone mineral density (BMD) reference range for Indian females using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. BMD at multiple skeletal sites was measured in 2034 healthy women aged 18-85 yr. The effect of anthropometry and biochemical parameters on BMD was determined. Peak BMD was observed between 30 and 35 yr at the hip, lumbar spine, and radius. Significant positive correlation of height and weight with BMD was observed at 33% radius, femur neck, and lumbar spine, whereas significant negative correlation was seen between serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum parathyroid hormone levels with BMD at aforementioned sites. On multivariate regression analysis, age, weight, and serum ALP were the most consistent contributors to variance in the BMD. Compared with age-matched US females, BMD of lumbar spine was significantly lower for our subjects in all age groups. Prevalence of osteoporosis among women aged older than 50 yr was significantly higher based on Caucasian T-scores as opposed to using peak BMD/standard deviation values from the population under review at lumbar spine but not at femoral neck.