Bone mineral density in University aged Saudi females

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate bone mineral density (BMD) in young Saudi females (20-25 years) using Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), as it is a widely utilized modality for the measurement of BMD, used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia. METHODS: BMD measurements were performed in the spine and the neck of the femur in 101 young females. RESULTS: 37% and 34% patients had osteopenia in the spine and the neck of the femur respectively, BMD values = 0.98 and 0.81 gm/cm(2) respectively). Whereas 5% had osteoporosis in the spine area, BMD values = 0.82 gm/cm(2)). Of the 101 subjects, 53 (52.5%) young females did not suffer from osteopenia in either both site, whereas 23 (22.7%) females had osteopenia in both sites, the remaining 25 subjects (25% of the subject included) had either osteopenia or osteoporosis in one of the sites. A strong association between BMD values with weight was found. CONCLUSIONS: We found that one third of the young Saudi females sampled suffer from osteopenia. Additionally, body weight has a positive relationship with bone mineral density.