Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Osteoporosis is a serious health problem in men but remains underdiagnosed and under-treated. The present study was to determine prevalence of osteoporosis in males above 50 years of age. Materials & Methods: 68 males above 50 years of age were included. Level of vitamin D, calcium, BMI and T score was calculated. Results: Habit of smoking was present in 12, 13 and 18 subjects, alcoholism in 10, 12 and 15 subjects, 13, 10 and 13 subjects were from rural area and 12, 9 and 11 subjects were from urban area and sedentary life style was seen in 14 normal, 17 osteopenia and 20 osteoporosis subjects respectively. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). The mean vitamin D level in normal subjects was 19.2 ng/dl, in osteopenia subjects was 13.2 ng/ml and in osteoporosis subjects was 8.4 ng/ml, mean calcium level was 9.8 mg/dl, in osteopenia was 9.3 mg/dl and 8.1 mg/dl in osteoporosis subjects, BMI (Kg/m2) was 24.5, 23.1 and 20.2 respectively and mean T score was 0.62, -1.52 and -2.17 respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of osteoporosis in males above 50 years of age was 35.2%. Sedentary life style, smoking and alcoholism were risk factors. Key words: Alcoholism, Sedentary life style, smoking.