Bone Mineral Density and Serum Minerals in Pre and Post-Menopausal Women: A Comparative Study

Background: Osteoporosis is a bone condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. It literally means "porous bone," and it causes a loss of bone mass and strength. Symptoms and pain are rarely present as the condition advances. The specific reason is unknown, but it can be avoided. Bone breakdown outpaces bone formation after the age of 35, leading in a steady loss of bone mass. Osteoporosis is diagnosed when bone loss exceeds a particular threshold. Bone resorption (breakdown) outpaces bone formation after menopause. Osteoporosis is a silent disease, reflected only in a low bone density, till a fracture occurs. One of the most rapidly emerging health problems in the postmenopausal women is osteoporosis. It is now realized that, osteoporotic fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in India in the elderly women population.

Aim: To study the correlation between serum minerals and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in pre and postmenopausal women.

Methods: This study was designed to find out the serum mineral levels and its correlation with bone mineral density in pre and post-menopausal women. The present study was a cross-sectional study. 40 women from each group i.e. premenopausal and postmenopausal women were selected for the study with no medical, surgical or gynaecological abnormalities. The Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was measured by Bone Densitometer and classified as normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis according to T-score. Serum minerals were measured in autoanalyser. The data was analyzed using Microsoft excel 2007. For the comparison of values between the groups, students ,,t" test was used, for the correlation, Pearson"s correlation coefficient was used.

Results: Around 80% of the post-menopausal women are osteoporotic. BMD scores were significantly low in postmenopausal women according to T-score along with significantly decreased Serum mineral levels when compared to premenopausal women. There was significant positive correlation between T-score and serum calcium and magnesium levels in postmenopausal women.

Conclusions: The present study suggests that peri and postmenopausal women should take magnesium rich foods also like whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables (especially dark-green, leafy vegetables) every day which will help to provide recommended intakes of magnesium and maintain normal storage levels of this mineral. If these foods are not available or serum levels are too low supplementation can be given in the form of tablets.