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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
[Factors associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis in women undergoing bone mineral density test]
Ana Carolina Veiga Silva1, Maria Inês da Rosa1, Bruna Fernandes1
1Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in a female population, that had bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a specialized clinic in the south of Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 1,871 women that performed scans between January and December 2012. We conducted a logistic regression analysis with all independent variables and outcomes (osteopenia, osteoporosis and fracture risk). According to DXA results, 36.5% of women had normal BMD, 49.8% were diagnosed with osteopenia and 13.7% with osteoporosis. Menopause and age over 50 years old were risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis while prior hysterectomy and BMI greater than 25 were protective factors. For the outcome of fracture at any site the risk factors were age over 50 years old, osteopenia and osteoporosis (OR = 2.09, 95% CI:1,28-3, 40) and (OR = 2.49, 95% CI:1,65-3, 74), respectively.
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