A study to evaluate the efficacy of intra oral periapical radiographs (IOPA) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, as compared to ultrasonography of calcaneus

Abstract

Introduction: The risk factors for the development of osteoporosis include ageing, menopause, insufficient consumption of food containing calcium, familial education and decreased physical activity. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasound are among the techniques developed to identify individuals with osteoporosis and serve as the gold standard. These methods are very expensive and hence there is a need to develop alternative methods to diagnose osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Objectives: 1. To evaluate digital IOPAs in post-menopausal women for changes in the trabecular pattern, to assess osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by comparing with USG-calcaneus; 2. To assess the changes in the serum calcium levels in osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by comparing with USG-calcaneus. Materials and Methods: 100 patients were divided into 2 groups (pre and post-menopausal women.) Each patient underwent digital radiographic examination of premolar molar region of the mandible on the right side using bisecting angle technique and the density measurements i.e. grey values were measured and trabecular patterns were assessed in these radiographs. 2 ml of blood sample was taken from antecubital vein by venipuncture method and serum calcium was estimated. USG - Calcaneus Estimation was done and the speed of sound in m/sec for every patient was also noted. Results: It was found that 46% of patients in the postmenopausal group had a sparse trabecular pattern, while only 2% in the premenopausal group showed similar findings. Significantly higher numbers of patients with sparse trabeculation were observed in the postmenopausal group (p < 0>p-value 0.0009). (54%). No significant differences in the mean levels of serum calcium were observed between the postmenopausal and premenopausal groups. Conclusion: Intra oral periapical radiographs (IOPA) seem to be a promising tool in screening post-menopausal women for osteoporosis. The indices used in th