Bone mineral density of the spine and femur in healthy Saudis.

The reference values of bone mineral density (BMD) were determined in healthy Saudis of both sexes and compared with US / northern European and other reference data. BMD was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine and femur including subregions: trochanter, Ward's triangle, and neck, in 1,980 randomly selected Saudis (age range 20-79 years; 915 males and 1,065 females) living in the Jeddah area. Age-related changes in BMD were similar to those described in US / northern European and Lebanese reference data.