Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bone strength decreases with age. Bone mineral density (BMD) is a measure of bone strength. Data on BMD in present-day Inuit are limited, and data on circumpolar populations using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA scanning) are lacking.
OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to validate DEXA scanning for use in field studies in the Arctic region and to obtain data on BMD in Greenland Inuit.
METHODS: We measured BMD in 52 healthy Inuit living in Ilulissat and Saqqaq in North Greenland using a portable peripheral DEXA scanner. The measurement sites were forearms and calcaneal bones. Two measurements were performed at both radii and both calcanei. Triplicate measurements were performed in eleven Inuit.
RESULTS: The portable scanner fitted into a standard bag suitable for transportation in the arctic winter. Imprecision was well within 2% for all calibrations. CV% were 0.16% to 1.79% in the forearms and 0.38% to 1.53% in the heels. The overall CV% was 1.09% in forearm and 1.01% in heel. Mean BMD in men was 0.569 g/cm2 in forearms and 0.542 in heel. In women it was 0.479 in forearms and 0.468 in heel.
CONCLUSION: DEXA scanning is a feasible, reliable and comfortable method in rural Greenland. BMD values are now available for Greenland Inuit.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Book series | International Journal of Circumpolar Health. Supplement |
| Volume | 63 Suppl 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 280-3 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISSN | 1239-9736 |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Absorptiometry, Photon
- Arctic Regions
- Bone Density
- Feasibility Studies
- Greenland
- Humans
- Inuits
- Male