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Bone mineral density and osteoporosis among a predominantly Caucasian elderly population in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

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Abstract

This cross-sectional study covered 301 individuals over 70 years of age—207 women (W) and 94 men (M)—living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Our aims were to evaluate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in this population and the possible factors that influence BMD. The subjects were submitted to a bone densitometry scan (DXA) to evaluate the BMD at lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), trochanter (T), total femur (TF) and total body composition. At the time, the participants filled in a questionnaire about lifestyle habits, diet and medical history, as well as having blood samples taken to check hormone and biochemical levels. Anthropometric parameters were measured. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were defined in accordance with the criteria suggested by the World Health Organization. In the different sites studied, the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis varied, in men ranging 33.3–57.4% and 6.4–16.1%, respectively, and in women ranging 36.6–56.5% and 22.2–33.2%, respectively. Weight was the variable that most strongly correlated with BMD at the proximal femur in both sexes (men, r =0.44–0.52; women, r =0.48–0.52) and with BMD at LS in women ( r =0.44). Height was the parameter that best correlated with BMD at LS in men ( r =0.34). In men follicle-stimulating hormone, growth hormone and glycemia correlated with BMD at T and TF, while plasma albumin only correlated with BMD at T. In women glycemia correlated with BMD at LS, and follicle-stimulating hormone correlated with BMD at FN, T and TF. In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in this population, with weight being the best predictor of BMD. The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia at FN was as high in men as that observed in women.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Paulista Medical School, Federal University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 20266, 04034-970 , Vila Clementino, São Paulo, Brazil

    Marilia Brasilio Rodrigues Camargo, Gabriela Luporini Saraiva, Andrea Lage, José Gilberto H. Vieira & Marise Lazaretti-Castro

  2. Division of Geriatrics, Paulista Medical School, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Francisco de Castro 105, 04020-050, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, Brazil

    Maysa Seabra Cendoroglo, Luiz Roberto Ramos & Lara Miguel Quirino Araújo

  3. Division of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, São Paulo University, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo 715, 01246-904, São Paulo, Brazil

    Maria do Rosario Dias de Oliveira Latorre

  4. Division of Geriatrics, Paulista Medical School, Federal University of São Paulo, Labotatorio Fleury, Avenida República do Líbano 635, 04501-000, Moema, São Paulo, Brazil

    Nelson Carvalhaes Neto

Authors
  1. Marilia Brasilio Rodrigues Camargo
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  2. Maysa Seabra Cendoroglo
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  3. Luiz Roberto Ramos
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  4. Maria do Rosario Dias de Oliveira Latorre
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  5. Gabriela Luporini Saraiva
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  6. Andrea Lage
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  7. Nelson Carvalhaes Neto
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  8. Lara Miguel Quirino Araújo
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  9. José Gilberto H. Vieira
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  10. Marise Lazaretti-Castro
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Correspondence to Marise Lazaretti-Castro.

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Rodrigues Camargo, M.B., Cendoroglo, M.S., Ramos, L.R. et al. Bone mineral density and osteoporosis among a predominantly Caucasian elderly population in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Osteoporos Int 16, 1451–1460 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-004-1831-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-004-1831-y

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