Bone Status of Women Over 40 Years of Age from Two Socioeconomic Strata

Background. Literature reports examining the association of bone mineral density (BMD) and socioeconomic status suggest of an inconclusive relation. Methods. We studied 58 and 54 women (mean age 49.5 +/- 7.2 years) from upper socioeconomic class (USC) and lower socioeconomic class (LSC), respectively, for their BMD at lumber spine and total femur by Lunar DPX-PRO dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Socioeconomic, lifestyle and biochemical data were collected. Results. Percent prevalence of osteoporosis in USC women was 12% and 0% at lumber spine and total femur, respectively, while it was 33% and 11%, respectively, in LSC women. When the mean BMD values were adjusted for the effect of body mass index, protein and calcium intake, physical activity, and sunlight exposure, only the total femoral BMD of USC premenopausal women was significantly greater. Conclusion. Our data suggest that bone health of our LSC women was poor possibly due to the influence of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.