The effect of age on the changes in bone mineral density and osteoporosis detection rates in Han Chinese men over the age of 50

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between age and BMD at different skeletal sites and osteoporosis (OP) detection rates in Han Chinese men over 50 years and to assess the diagnostic value of the OSTA. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1488 men over 50 was carried out and group comparisons were made. RESULTS: BMDs at total hip and femoral neck decreased with age (p < 0.01) and were negatively correlated with age by liner correlation analysis (r = -0.36, -0.30; p all <0.05). The detection rates of OP and osteopenia were 10.08% and 43.21% respectively, which increased with age, and significantly higher among over 70 years old than under 70 individuals (47.75% versus 35.56%; 14.88% versus 1.99%; p all <0.01). The detection rate at the femoral neck was similar to the overall detection rate. Sensitivities of OSTA index at a cutoff value of -1 and -4 were 87.33% and 52.0% respectively, and the specificities were 56.20% and 87.59%. CONCLUSION: BMDs at femoral neck and total hip decrease with age. Detection rates of OP increase with age. Bilateral femoral neck BMD measurement can improve detection rates of OP. OSTA is a useful screening tool for OP in Han Chinese men over 50 years.