AIM: In this study we aimed to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis and to identify the factors associated with bone mineral density in Portuguese men and to quantify age-related bone loss. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional evaluation of 739 apparently healthy men 20-82 years recruited during general practice routine visits who volunteered for bone mineral density measurement. Men reporting secondary causes for osteoporosis or using medication known to interfere with bone metabolism were excluded n = 82. Distal forearm bone mineral density was measured using single X-ray absorptiometry DTX 100 Hologic and information on demographic anthropometric and behavioural aspects was recorded. RESULTS: Forearm bone mineral density decreased significantly with age r = -0.29 p < 0.001 and was higher in overweight men and among those who reported moderate or intense physical activity. The prevalence of osteoporosis increased from 1.9% at 40-49 years to 18.6% after 70 years p < 0.001. Increasing age was a risk factor and body mass index was protective against the condition. CONCLUSION: This study showed that bone loss is an important problem in ageing men in our country.
AIM: In this study we aimed to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis and to identify the factors associated with bone mineral density in Portuguese men and to quantify age-related bone loss. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional evaluation of 739 apparently healthy men 20-82 years recruited during general practice routine visits who volunteered for bone mineral density measurement. Men reporting secondary causes for osteoporosis or using medication known to interfere with bone metabolism were excluded n = 82. Distal forearm bone mineral density was measured using single X-ray absorptiometry DTX 100 Hologic and information on demographic anthropometric and behavioural aspects was recorded. RESULTS: Forearm bone mineral density decreased significantly with age r = -0.29 p < 0.001 and was higher in overweight men and among those who reported moderate or intense physical activity. The prevalence of osteoporosis increased from 1.9% at 40-49 years to 18.6% after 70 years p < 0.001. Increasing age was a risk factor and body mass index was protective against the condition. CONCLUSION: This study showed that bone loss is an important problem in ageing men in our country.