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Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Smoking as a risk factor for bone mineral density in the heel of Japanese men
1Matsushita Health Care Center, Moriguchii, Japan. hagiwara@hi-ho.ne.jp
Abstract:
Bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcaneus was measured in 1736 male Japanese office workers (age 20-64 yr) using a DX-2000 (Matsushita Industrial Equipment, Toyonaka, Japan). The scanning time was 10 s, with an in vitro precision error of 0.85% and an in vivo precision error of 1.54%. A significant gradual loss of BMD was detected between 20 and 60 yr of age, with an age difference of 0. 27% per year. Significant determinants for heel BMD were body mass index, age, and smoking. A nonsignificant factor was alcohol consumption. The coefficient of determination was 30.7%. These results suggest that smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis in middle-aged Japanese men.
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