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Updated: Aug 2, 2025
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density in adults with Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study in a Brazilian sample
A Fedrigo1, T L Skare2, G R Levandoski2
1Internal Medicine Post Graduate, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
Background:
We aim to investigate the relationship between bone mass in a sample of Brazilian individuals with DS and handgrip strength, body mass index (BMI) and physical exercise.
Methods:
Dual-energy X-ray emission densitometry analysis of bone mass in 26 individuals with DS (8 men and 18 women with a mean age of 30.7 ± 10.3 years) was conducted. Additionally, weight and height were measured to determine BMI, palmar grip strength was measured using a Jammar dynamometer®, and physical activity was classified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Results:
In this sample, 2/15 (13.3%) individuals with age between 18 to 29 years had low BMD in the spine; 2/8 (25%) of those with age between 30 and 39 years also had low BMD in the spine and 2/3 (66.6%) with age ≥40 had low BMD in the femur. There were significant correlations between palmar grip strength and Z femoral neck score in women (P = 0.02) and between BMI and Z femoral neck score in men (P = 0.04). All other correlations lacked statistical significance (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Brazilian patients with DS showed a high prevalence of low bone mass. Traditional factors such as muscle strength, BMI and physical activity appear to have little effect on bone mineral density in this population.
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