Effects of age, sex, and ethnicity on bone health status of the elderly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Background

Osteoporosis is a significant health problem in the developing countries and its prevalence data are important for the estimation of health care burden and policy making. This study aimed to determine the age-related changes in bone health and the prevalence of osteoporosis in males and females aged 50 years or above living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2014 and December 2015. Subjects answered a demographic questionnaire and underwent body anthropometric and bone health measurement. Assessment of bone health was performed using a quantitative ultrasound device that generated speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation, stiffness index, and T-score based on stiffness index value as bone health indices.

Results

The prevalence of osteoporosis was 10.6% in males and 8.0% in females. Significant age-related decline of bone health indices (speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation, stiffness index, and T-score) and a concurrent increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia were observed in females (P<0.05) but not in males (P>0.05). Ethnic differences in bone health indices and prevalence of osteoporosis/osteopenia were not observed (P>0.05).

Conclusion

A significant proportion of males and females age 50 years or above have suboptimal bone health. Preventive measures such as early screening should be implemented to retard the progression of osteoporosis.

Keywords:

• aging
• osteopenia
• osteoporosis
• prevalence
• T-score

Acknowledgments

We thank Mr Fadlullah Zuhair Japar Sidik, Ms Juliana Abdul Hamid, Ms Nurul Hafizah Abas, Ms Sabariah Adnan, Mr Azlan Mohd Arslamsyah, Mr Mustazil Mohd Noor, Ms Nur Farhana Mohd Fozi, Ms Siti Zulfarina Mohamed and Mr Sharkawi Ahmad from the Department of Pharmacology, and Ms Sharifah Nurul Aqilah Sayed Mohd Zaris from the Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centre, who offered invaluable assistance in the screening sessions. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia funded this study via grants FF-2015-412 and FF-2015-396.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.