[An analysis on the forearm bone mass density of rural female and the environmental risk factors]

The distribution of distal and proximal forearm bone mass densities (BMD) with age was discribed and the environmental risk factors of rural female analyzed. A group of 1432 rural female aged 15 and over were sellected. Their demographic characteristics, living and eating habit were obtained by standardized questionnaire. The distal and proximal forearm bone mass density were measured by peripheral dual-energy X ray absorptionmetry (pDEXA). The results showed that the distal and proximal forearm BMDs were increased with age before age 25 and 30 respectively, and reached the peak value at age 30-35. The distal forearm bone density decreased significantly at age 40 while the proximal forearm BMD decreased at age 45. Bone loss rate of the two bone sites was increased significantly at age 50 and reached the peak value at age 55-60. Only the the density of proximal forearm bone, and the year of menopause was the main cause of low bone density. Body weight was the positive factor for bone density at age less than 60. Height only positively affected the proximal forearm bone of those at age 30-45. More ever, drinking tea, parity and educational status may affect distal forearm bone in certain age group while parity, educational status, occupation and marital status were possible risk factors of proximal forearm BMD. It is concluded that environmental risk factors of BMD varied with bone site and age. The prevention of low BMD must rely on subject's age and bone site. The surveillance of low bone density must put the emphasis on spony bone.