Low bone mineral density among young healthy adult Saudi women. Prevalence and associated factors in the age group of 20 to 36 years

• Published in: Saudi medical journal Vol. 37; no. 11; pp. 1225 - 1233
• Main Authors: Zeidan, Zeidan A, Sultan, Intisar E, Guraya, Shaista S, Al-Zalabani, Abdulmohsen H, Khoshhal, Khalid I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia Saudi Medical Journal 01.11.2016
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon - methods; Adult; Biomarkers - blood; Bone Density; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health screening; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Original; Parathyroid Hormone - blood; Prevalence; Saudi Arabia - epidemiology; Sunlight; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin D - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - diagnosis; Vitamin D Deficiency - epidemiology; Women college students; Women's health
• ISSN: 0379-5284; 1658-3175
• DOI: 10.15537/smj.2016.11.16248

To screen for low bone mineral density among young adult Saudi women using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and exploring the high risk groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 279, 20-36 years old female students and employees of Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January and May 2014. The study included bone status assessed using QUS, a structured self-reported questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and evaluation of bone markers of bone metabolism. Results: The prevalence of low bone mineral density was 9%. Serum osteocalcin was found significantly higher in candidates with low bone mineral density, 20.67 ng/ml versus 10.7 ng/ml, and it was negatively correlated with T-scores. At any given point in time the exposed subjects to low calcium intake and inadequate sun exposure in the population were 11 times and 3 times more likely to have low bone mineral density, (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 11.0; 95%confidence interval [CI]=3.16, 38.34; p=0.001) and (adjusted OR, 3.32, 95%CI=1.27, 8.66, p less than 0.01). Conclusion: Early detection screening programs for low bone mineral density are needed in Saudi Arabia as it affects young Saudi women specially the high-risk group that includes young women with insufficient calcium intake and insufficient sun exposure. Serum osteocalcin as a biomarker for screening for low bone mineral density could be introduced.