BONE DENSITOMETRY OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN TEHRAN

Using a cluster sampling method, a group of menopausal women from three geographic areas in Tehran were asked to participate in the study. Demographic data was obtained using a questionnaire. Subjects were than referred to perform bone mass densitometry (BMD). The relationship between various variables (i.e. age of menarche, number of years of endogenous estrogen exposure, ... ) with mineral density of the lumbar spine and femur were sought. Results showed that the incidence of bone loss during menopause was high among these women. Earlier age of menarche and longer reproductive years, higher BMI, previous usage of OCP and HRT are likely to increase BM. Being active at home and doing household chores can greatly influence the BMD of the femur. Poor dietary calcium intake may be the main reason for low BMD among the studied subjects.