Normal range of BMD in proximal tibia as a different skeletal site at women

OBJECTIVE Osteoporosis is progressive metabolic bone disease that decreases bone density and features deterioration of bone structure. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is commonly used and reliable method to measure bone mineral density (BMD). Aim of this study was to determine normal ranges of BMD in left proximal tibia. METHODS Fifty-five females were included in this study. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and the left proximal tibia using DXA. BMD value of subregions in the left proximal tibia was significantly correlated with BMD value of the total lumbar spine (r=0.111-0.766). New average BMD values of the left proximal tibia were calculated according to age using linear regression formula, leading to average BMD value for the total lumbar spine (L1-L4) in normal population. New simulated T-scores for proximal subregions of the tibia were then calculated. RESULTS T-scores for proximal subregions were not different from T-scores of total lumbar spine (p>0.05). CONCLUSION It was concluded that proximal tibia is an ideal region for measurement of BMD in osteoporosis.