Bone Abstracts

Age is one of the most important factors that influence bone condition. At the age of 40–45 years for women (F) and 50 years for men (M) processes of bone formation and resorption are balanced, then bone resorption predominates.

We examined 103 M (20–78 years) and 360 F (20–87 years), residing in the Republic of Karelia. Densitometry was performed for all patients to assess age-related changes in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine. At F from 20 to 40 years and M up to 50 years, averages of vertebral BMD had no significant differences. A significant decrease in BMD was observed after 40 years. At F reduction in BMD for every 5 years were: aged 40–50 years – 1.7% (0.3% per year), 50–60 – 3.8% (0.8% per year), after 60 – only 1.7–2.5% (0.3–0.5% per year), for 75 – 20% (0.7% per year), to 81–87 – 25.2%. At M BMD reduction were: aged 45–60 years – 2.7% (0.5% per year), after 60 – 1.5% (0.3% per year), to 71–78 – 11.1%. Statistically significant (P<0.05) decrease in BMD in F detected in 41–45 years, and in M – in 51–55 years. 89% of F under the age of 50 years had normal BMD, and aged 51–60 years – 44.4%. Osteoporosis (OP) was detected in 55.6% F aged 50–60 years, and in aged 71–80 years – 42.3%, in aged 81 years and older in 57.1%. In males under 40 years, 70% of the BMD values were normal, at 61–70 years in 44.7% of M was revealed osteopenia and OP was observed in 23% of M over 70 years.

Thus, a statistically significant decrease in BMD in female found in the age period of 41–45 years, in male – in 51–55 years. OP was detected in women after age 50, men – after 70 years.