Comparing self-assessment, functional, and anthropometric techniques in predicting osteoporosis.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Orthopedics
• Public Health

Background:

• Osteoporosis poses a significant health risk, particularly in aging populations.
• Accurate and accessible screening tools are crucial for early detection and intervention.
• Current diagnostic methods like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may not be universally available.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the predictive accuracy of the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST), functional assessments (hand grip strength, gait speed), and anthropometric measurements (calf circumference) for osteoporosis.
• To determine the most effective screening method for osteoporosis risk in both women and men.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1109 participants was conducted.
• Bone mineral density was assessed using DXA.
• The OST, hand grip strength, gait speed, and calf circumference were evaluated as predictors of osteoporosis.

Main Results:

• The OST demonstrated higher accuracy in predicting osteoporosis in women compared to other methods.
• Hand grip strength proved more accurate than the OST and other measures in predicting osteoporosis in men.
• Gait speed and calf circumference showed lower predictive accuracy in both sexes.

Conclusions:

• The OST is a valuable tool for osteoporosis screening in women.
• Hand grip strength is a suitable and cost-effective method for assessing osteoporosis risk in men.
• These simple clinical tools can enhance osteoporosis risk identification, especially where DXA is not feasible.