In the last three years in Bulgaria it became possible to determine the peripheral bone mass by x-ray absorptiometry (Osteometer DTX 100/200 ) and to perform screening examinations among women at risk of developing postmenopausal osteoporosis. As a reference database in our everyday practice we used the established criteria for Danish population. Keeping the study protocol of Osteometer A/S we summarized our data in order to define the age related variations of bone mineral density (BMD) and to determine normal values for healthy Bulgarian women. A total of234 women aged 20-70 years were included in the study. They were informed about the trial and gave their written consent to participate. BMD was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry at distal (D-BMD) and ultradistal (U-BMD) sites of forearm with Osteometer DTX 200. The attained peak bone mass in youth (at the age of 30) declined normally slowly and after the menopause the loss accelerated - both D-BMD and U-BMD. The accelerated bone loss after menopause changed the ratio (normal BMD: osteopenia: osteoporosis) and with age the number of women with osteoporosis increased. Screening the women near menopause and monitoring the postmenopausal bone loss is important to identify patients at risk (the so-called fast bone losers ) . It will enable to start early preventive therapy. The established normal values for age-related changes in BMD can be used as reference base for healthy Bulgarian women and will help for correct interpretation of the results.
Riis, B. J. Osteoporos. Internal., 1994, Suppl. 1, S35-S37.- 2. Osteometer AJ S; BMC and BMD in normal population. Study protocol.
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