peak bone mass measurement in iranian healthy population

background: osteoporosis is a disabling disease characterized by compromised bone strength, which predisposes a patient to increased risk of fracture. the aim of this study was evaluation the pattern of bone mass in iranian healthy population. methods: the study was performed between december 2000 and may 2001 on one thousand three healthy iranian sub jects who currently live in tehran. they were selected randomly by cluster random sampling among men and women of 10-76 yr from 50 clusters. the volunteer people were referred to the bone mineral density bmd unit of emrc. the partici pants were recalled for three times and the response rate was 83%. bmd was measured by dxa using lunar dpx-md device. results: females achieved maximum lumbar bmd up to 25-35. femur bmd maximized in 30 to 35 and after 45 the inten sity of bone loss increased. female peak bone mass in lumbar region was 1.19 ± 0.12 g/cm2and in femur was 1.02±0.12 g/cm2. male peak bone mass in lumbar region occurred between ages 25-40 yr, male's femur bmd maximized in 20-30. in male peak lumbar bone mass was 1.22±0.16 g/cm2 and femur was 1.08±0.15 g/cm2. osteopenia was recog nized in 50% and 48.8% of women above 50 in spine and total femur, respectively, however these percentages were 37.1% and 34.8% among male subjects. conclusion: iranian bmd values sufficiently different from other countries to warrant a separate reference sample with which to compare individuals for the purpose of diagnosing osteoporosis and osteopenia according to the who criteria.