Prevalence of Low Bone Mineral Density in a Low-Income Inner-City Population
Author Information
Author(s): El-Maouche Diala, Xu Xiaoqiang, Cofrancesco Joseph Jr, Dobs Adrian S, Brown Todd T
Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of osteoporosis and reduced bone mineral density in an inner-city Baltimore population?
Conclusion
The study found a very high prevalence of osteoporosis, particularly at the lumbar spine, especially among men.
Supporting Evidence
- Osteoporosis was identified in 22% of subjects, with the majority of cases attributable to osteoporosis at the lumbar spine.
- Lower whole-body BMD among women was associated with multiple risk factors.
- Men had a statistically significant lower BMI than women.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many people in a poor city area have weak bones, and it found that a lot of them do, especially men.
Methodology
The study recruited 338 subjects who completed questionnaires and underwent DXA scans to evaluate bone mineral density.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the self-reported data on drug and alcohol use.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable to other populations due to its specific demographic focus.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted mostly of African-American, middle-aged individuals with a high prevalence of illicit drug use and low socioeconomic status.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.3–10
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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