Objective
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis and regional differences in women in Kangwon province.
Methods
This descriptive study in women in Kangwon province, ranging in age from 40 to 90 years, was based on the data of national health inspection by Planned Population Federation of Korea from August 2007 to April 2008. Bone mineral density (BMD) of hip was measured with a dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry. Age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Kangwon province and age-adjusted prevalence of osteoporosis in each region of Kangwon area were determined. In addition, regional comparisons between urban and rural area, coastal and inland area were also performed using logistic regression.
Results
In a total of 10,026 women, age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis was less than 2% in women younger than 50 years but it was increased to about 15% in those older than 55 years. In the prevalence of each region in Kangwon area, Kangneung had the highest age-adjusted prevalence and Donghae, Sokcho were the low age-adjusted prevalence areas. In regional comparisons, urban and coastal area showed higher age-adjusted prevalence than rural and inland area, respectively (P < 0.001), but the coastal area in our study included the Kangneung which has the highest prevalence uniquely contrast to other coastal areas.
Conclusion
The age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Kangwon province increased with the ages, especially in those older than 55 years. And there was a significant regional difference between urban and rural area.
[Korean Journal of Bone Metabolism, 15(2): 135-141, 2008]
