Abstract
Community-based screening for osteoporosis is vital for early prevention of low bone mineral density and minimizing the risk factor of fragility fracture among elderly and peri- and postmenopausal women. We investigated 602 women aged 30 years or older (mean age 61.2±9.1; range 33-81 years) who underwent screening for osteoporosis in Saijo, Ehime, Japan between 2000 and 2001. We evaluated the relationship between self-administered questionnaire responses and the findings of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of calcaneous bone for all subjects. The self-administrated questionnaire included 23 items inquiring about exercise habits, milk consumption, emmenia, or parameters associated with actual skeletal status.
Bone mass showed a gradual decrease with each advancing age decade in all subjects. Additionally, bone mass was intimately related to history of fracture, history of osteoporosis, presence or absence of lower back pain, and some of the items related to actual skeletal status.
In conclusion, screening for osteoporosis using the QUS examination is valid for assessing osteoporosis and actual skeletal status in community-dwelling female residents.
