Prevalence and patterns of bone mineral density disorders among women in Buraidah, KSA.

Objectives: Bone mineral density (BMD) disorders are disorders of bone mineralization in which bone density is reduced (T score <-1). BMD causes health and social burdens on individuals and communities. This study estimated the prevalence and determined the patterns of BMD disorders among women in Buraidah, KSA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 342 women visiting the DEXA Scanning Center in Buraidah. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was used to measure the BMD, and cutoffs were defined based on World Health Organization criteria: normal = T score >-1, osteopenia = T score <-1 to >-2.5, and osteoporosis = T score ≤-2.5. Sociodemographic and health-related data were collected. Logistic regression was used to measure the association of various participant characteristics with BMD disorders.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 61.2 ± 7.54 years. The overall prevalence of BMD disorders was 76%, of whom 42% had osteopenia, 24% had both osteoporosis and osteopenia, and 10% had osteoporosis. Body mass index, menopause, hypertension, oral hypoglycemics, and calcium supplementation were significant predictors of BMD disorders.

Conclusions: The high prevalence of BMD disorders among women in KSA necessitates establishing and strengthening osteoporosis prevention programs to ensure healthy aging among women in KSA. Large-scale community-based studies are needed to accurately estimate the burden and risk factors of BMD disorders in the community.