Prediction of bone mineral density by age, body mass index and menopausal status in middle socioeconomic status women of urban Kolar region of Bhopal

Morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporosis continues to be high in India primarily due to late diagnosis. This study aims to find association of age, body mass index (BMI) and menopausal status with bone mineral density (BMD); and confirm if these variables are predictors of low BMD in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. This cross sectional study was conducted on 350 women aged 30–65 years. BMD was measured at calcaneum heel by Quantitative Ultrasound. Chi-square test and logistic regression have been used for statistical confirmations. Low BMD was found in 51.1% premenopausal and 77.1% postmenopausal women. Age, BMI and menopausal status were found to be associated with BMD. Advancing age, normal BMI and postmenopausal status were predictors of low BMD. Low BMD was more likely to develop in premenopausal women aged 40-59 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=2.0;95% confidence interval [95%CI]:1.04.2) and in postmenopausal women aged 60 years and above (OR=2.8;95%CI:0.93-8.3); less likely to develop in premenopausal obese women (OR=0.17;95% CI:0.06-0.49) and in postmenopausal obese women (OR=0.04;95%CI:0.005-0.31). Low BMD was more likely to develop in postmenopausal women (OR=2.0;95%CI:1.14-3.55) as compared to premenopausal women. Our study shows that high BMI has protective effect against bone loss. Older women with normal BMI need to be identified at an early stage for taking timely preventive measures to reduce morbidity, mortality and socioeconomic burden associated with osteoporosis.