Screening for bone mineral density using distal radius ultrasound (quantitative ultrasound scan): A camp-based approach

BACKGROUND: Bone mineral density (BMD) is an indirect measure of bone strength. As per WHO criteria of osteoporosis, osteoporosis and osteopenia are two subclinical states of low level of BMD. Osteoporosis is a major silent public health problem in India but epidemiological data are scanty in our country. Public awareness can play a crucial role to prevent the consequences of osteoporosis, which is based on the estimation of the BMD as osteoporosis is symptomless until person sustains fracture with a trivial trauma. The purpose of this study was to screen the people for their BMD levels using the quantitative ultrasound scan (QUS) method. METHODOLOGY: A total of 215 individuals (125 males and 90 females) between 25 and 75 years of age were screened for their BMD levels in a camp held at Lyallpur Khalsa College of Jalandhar, Punjab. Their BMD was estimated using QUS on distal radius of dominating hand. Results were presented as distributive statistics. RESULTS: As per WHO criteria of BMD, 11.2% participants were osteoporotic (T-score −1.0) There was a significant trend of decreasing bone density with an increase in age in both the gender groups. A significant association ( χ 2 = 18.64, P CONCLUSION: Although such as DEXA scan, QUS method is not considered to be a standard tool for estimation of BMD; however, it is effective and affordable in identification of subclinical cases having low level of BMD. In our country, a camp is the best setting to screen a large population and creating awareness about such health problem.