An Epidemiological Study of Osteoporosis in Israel

Abstract

Lateral lumbar spine roentgenograms from 1,463 adult outpatients without bone disease or malignancy were visually evaluated for degree of osteoporosis, with diet studied for 330. Degree of osteoporosis increased with age, more rapidly in females. In subjects over 60, 68% of men and 94% of women showed some degree of osteoporosis, and 5% and 22%, respectively, showed more than minimally detectable osteoporosis. Subjects of North African and Asian (other than Israeli) origins had significantly more osteoporosis than those of European, North American, or Israeli origins. Males consumed more calcium and protein, consumption of both decreasing with age. By age and sex, there was no association between calcium or protein intake and osteoporotic extent. Although levels of calcium, nitrogen, or hydroxyproline in random urine samples were not associated with osteoporosis, higher phosphorus levels were.