[Variation of bone density in relation to age: analysis of 259 necropsies]

In a previous study we reported a relatively low incidence of hip fracture in our population compared to figures reported elsewhere and speculated that this could be related to differences in bone density. Accordingly, we measured bone density in 259 subjects at necropsy. In 172 males we found that bone density decreased from 0.88 g/cc at age 21-30 to 0.80 at age 70 (NS). In women, density decreased from 1.0 at age 21-30 to 0.84 at age 50, 0.69 at age 60 and 0.64 in those older than 70 years (p less than 0.01). These figures are higher than those reported from USA at all ages and could explain the lower incidence of hip fractures in our population.