The aim of this study was determination of the values of bone mineral density
(BMD L₂-L₄) and evaluation of occurrence of osteoporosis
(according to densitometric criteria valid until 2000) among normal women living
in rural and urban environments (especially postmenopausal) in comparison to
other populations. Subjects of the study were 503 normal women aged 30-79 (mean
49.5 years), all residents of Lublin Region (eastern Poland). Analysed
population was divided into two subgroups: urban (n=282, 56%) and rural (n=221,
44%). 65 (12.9%) women working as farmers, 107 (21.3%) were retired; other
occupations were performed by 325 (64.6%) women. The lumbar spine
(L₂-L₄) of all subjects was examined in anterior-posterior
position using the dual X-ray absorptiometry - DEXA (LUNAR Corp.) at the
Densitometric Laboratory of the Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Lublin
from November 1999-June 2000. No statistically significant differences were
observed in mean values of BMD between urban and rural populations, nor between
farmers and other occupations. Mean values of BMD in every age range were
similar to the populations of North America and Northern Europe. The prevalence
rates of osteoporosis according to WHO criteria in the entire analysed
population were calculated as 6.9%, and osteopenia as 25.4%. The prevalence of
osteoporosis and osteopenia increased with advancing age. In women younger than
45 years osteoporosis was not observed, and the prevalence of osteopenia was
12.6%. In women between 45-55 years the prevalence of osteoporosis was 5.7 % and
of osteopenia 25.6%. In women older than 55 years of age osteoporosis was
observed in 18.5% and osteopenia in 40.7%.