| Objective To explore the prevalence of osteoporosis in Nanjing adult females, and the changes of bone mineral density (BMD) at various skeletal sites during ageing. Methods BMD of the lumbar spine and the hip was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 388 adult females in Nanjing, aging from 20 to 29 years old. The secondary osteoporosis was excluded. Results The percentage of normal bone mass, osteopenia, and osteoporosis in Nanjing adult females was 33.5%, 48.5%, and 18%, respectively. In premenopausal women, the percentage was 52.7%, 47.3%, and 0, respectively. In postmenopausal women, the percentage was 12%, 49.7%, and 38.3%, respectively. There was no age-related change of BMD at all skeletal sites in females aging from 20 to 39 years. BMD of the femoral neck but not the spine and the hip decreased from age of 40 to 49 years. BMD decreased gradually at all skeletal sites from age of 50 years. The T score of BMD in the lumbar vertebrae and the femoral neck was lower than that in the totel hip in females aging from 50 to 69 years Conclusion The incidence of osteopenia in Nanjing young females is high, and become higher during aging. The incidence of osteoporosis is up to 38.3%. BMD of the femoral neck decreases first and is most sensitive in diagnosis of osteoporosis in females younger than 50 years old. However in females older than 50 years old, BMD of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck both decreases most obviously, and the sensitivity in diagnosis of osteoporosis are same. |