[Mean value of bone mineral content in Hungary measured by dual-photon absorptiometry]

Bone mineral content and density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in normal volunteers (89 women, 77 men) in different age groups. Peak values in both sexes occurred in the 3rd decade and are about 25% higher in men than those in women. In women the bone loss begins around 40 years at lumbar spine and also at the femoral neck. The rate of bone loss in the 6th decade--according to the menopause--significantly accelerates. The diminution in the 8th decade is higher again. In men the decrease of the lumbar spine density is also significant in connection with the ageing process, but the rate of the bone loss is slower, than in women. The femoral neck density and mineral content values begin to decrease at the 4th decade. The decrease of bone mineral content and density of femoral neck are equivalent in both sexes but some difference exists in the velocity. The data were compared with West-european values. The values of the femoral neck are lower, while those of the lumbar spine in the 5th decade in the female are higher in the Hungarian population. The reason of this difference may be the consequence of the obesity of the Hungarian female population.