Study of bone mineral density and their determinants among Medical practitioners of a Tertiary care Government hospital

Abstract

Background Vitamin D deficiency prevails in epidemic proportions all over the Indian subcontinent with a prevalence of 70ndash100 in the general population. Hence it is important to estimate its burden in doctors and other health care providers.Objectives 1. To test Bone Mineral Density BMD values using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry DEXA scan among the study population. 2. To correlate values of Bone Mineral Density with serum 25-OH cholecalciferol serum calcium weight height body mass index BMI sun exposure physical activity and diet. 3. To document known co-morbidities among study population.Methodology The study is a prospective cross sectional study.50 medical practitioners adhering to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study were invited for participation with voluntary consent. Their Bone Mineral Density values were calibrated by using an Ultrasound based Bone mineral densitometer having a 1 MHz transducer probe. Serum Vitamin D values were estimated by radioimmunoassay method and were expressed in nmolL. Serum Calcium values were estimated by semiauto-analyzer.Results 58 of study population had normal bone mineral density. Only 12 had normal serum vitamin D. There was no significant association between bone mineral density and serum VitaminD. Conclusion The Bone Mineral Density BMD values in the study population are on an average in the osteopenic range with low serum vitamin D levels.