Prevalence and determinants of osteoporosis among men aged 50 years or more in Sri Lanka: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

SummaryThis study, based on phalangeal bone mineral density (BMD) of 1,174 community dwelling male volunteers aged 50 years or more from seven provinces in Sri Lanka, shows 5.8% prevalence of osteoporosis among them. Advancing age, less physical activity, and low body weight were associated with low BMD. Men with larger families were more likely to have a lower bone mineral density.PurposeThe prevalence of osteoporosis among Sri Lankans is not well-known. We wished to estimate the prevalence and determinants of osteoporosis among older men in Sri Lanka.MethodsOne thousand one hundred seventy-four healthy, community dwelling male volunteers, aged 50 years or more from seven out of nine provinces in Sri Lanka underwent phalangeal bone mineral density estimation using an AccuDXA® scanner. We calculated T scores using the local reference data, and subjects with T score equal or less than −2.5 was considered to have osteoporosis.ResultsSixty-six men (5.8%) were detected to have osteoporosis. In contrast to men in the highest tertile of bone mineral density, men in the lowest tertile were older (60.0 versus 55.8 years, p < 0.001), lighter (56.3 versus 65.6 kg, p < 0.001), less physically active (16.1% versus 5.5%, p < 0.001) and had larger families consisting of four or more children (36% versus 20.9%, p < 0.001). Smoking, alcohol, or milk consumption showed no association with bone mineral density.ConclusionsWe report 5.8% prevalence of osteoporosis among men older than 50 years in Sri Lanka, and advancing age, less physical activity, and low body weight were associated with low bone mineral density. Men with larger families were more likely to have a lower bone mineral density.

Prevalence and predictors of osteoporosis in an urban Sri Lankan population

“…According to studies done by Lekamwasam et al. , 14 the prevalence of osteoporosis in men ≥ 50 was nearly 6%, similar to our findings. The prevalence of osteoporosis among Sri Lankan men < 50 years was low.…”

“…According to studies done by Lekamwasam et al. , 14 physical activity and body weight have a positive association with BMD; consumption of milk, smoking, consumption of alcohol, level of education and socioeconomic back ground were not associated with BMD.…”

“…According to studies done by Lekamwasam et al. (2009) 14 using a peripheral DEXA scan with a T‐score cut off of ≤ −2.5, the prevalence of osteoporosis among Sri Lankan men who were 50 years or more was 5.8%. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis will help to prevent fractures associated with osteoporosis.…”

Invited review: Dairy intake and bone health: A viewpoint from the state of the art

“…Nonetheless, most subjects (n = 1,865) derived from one paper (Wang et al, 2008) that considered together a very wide range of ages (from 20 to 89 yr). Lekamwasam et al (2009) found a 5.8% prevalence of osteoporosis in 1,174 male volunteers aged 50 yr or more in Sri Lanka. The study showed that phalangeal BMD of the volunteers was not associated with smoking or alcohol habits or to milk consumption.…”

Male osteoporosis – the problem statement among South India men

“…Vitamin D deficiency is quite prevalent in India. Goswami et al [14], in a study from Delhi, reported that up to 90 % of apparently healthy urban office workers and hospital staff had moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency. Tandon et al [15]evaluated young healthy men (n=40) and women (n=50) between 20 and 30 years of age from the Indian paramilitary forces and found a mean vitamin D level 18.4ng/ml in men.…”