Objective: To understand the distribution of prevalence rate of primary osteopenia (POPA) in the middle-aged and the elderly in some parts of China.
Methods: Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured and questionnaire was administered to 5 600 people aged above 40 in five administrative areas in China, through a stritified-multi-steps-cluster sampling method.
Results: The total prevalence rate of primary osteopenia in some parts of China was 15.8%, according to the most significant parts of the rate of loss. Of them, the prevalence rate of males was 20.0% compared to 12.4% in females (P < 0.01); There were also differences on POPA prevalence among provinces, age groups and areas between urban and rural (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Although prevention and treatment of primary osteopenia were important strategy in males however it should not be ignored in females as well.