Gender aspects of osteoporosis and their relationship to calcium balance

Aim. To evaluate the state of bone tissue in comparison with calcium balance, to clarify the risk for fracture development in women of different age groups. METHODS. 92 females aged 19 to 89 years were examined clinically with densitometry of lumbar spine and femoral neck and measuring the concentration of total calcium in the blood. RESULTS. In females younger than 50 years decreased bone density according to Z-score was revealed in 30% of cases, among patients with its normal values significant trend to bone rarefaction (-2.0 SD <Z-score ≤-1.5 SD) was registered with the same rate. In the group of females older than 50 years osteopenia was revealed in 46.3% of cases and osteoporosis - in 42.7%, while more significant decrease in bone mineral density was found in the lumbar spine. Past medical history of fractures increased the rate of osteoporosis by 18%. In females older than 50 years compared to younger patients a significant increase of blood calcium concentration was revealed. Besides, statistically significant increase of its level was noted in cases of fractures in the past and osteoporosis. The revealed changes of bone tissue in females below 50 years of age are indicative of increased risk of osteoporosis development in the future. CONCLUSION. High prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia is revealed in the examined patients older than 50 years, and bone mineral density parameters were significantly inversely correlated with calcemia; hence, blood calcium level can be one of the criteria of bone tissue state and in combination with other risk factors for osteoporosis should be taken into account during periodic health examination of females older than 50 years.