J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2021 Dec;56(6):491-497. 10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.6.491.

Prevalence of Osteoporosis among Male Adults with Apparently Radiolucent Lumbar Vertebral Bodies on the Plain Radiographs

• Kim KJ
• Lim SJ
• Kim YM
• Lee HK
• Kim GJ

• KMID: 2523278
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.6.491

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis or osteopenia via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry bone mineral density (DEXA BMD) in adult males who showed radiolucent lumbar vertebra on the plain radiographs.
Materials and Methods
The DEXA BMD values of 98 adult males, who showed radiolucent vertebrae on plain X-rays, were compared with those of the control group (n=168) and osteoporosis-related fracture group (n=113) by statistical analysis. The World Health Organization (WHO) method (lower value between the mean lumbar and femur neck) and the Hansen's method (lowest lumbar vertebra) were used to determine osteoporosis.
Results
The mean and standard deviation of the BMD value of each group was -1.4 (±1.2) in the suspicious group, -0.8 (±1.1) in the control group, and -2.4 (±1.0) in the fracture group, respectively; the difference was statistically significant. Using the WHO method, the prevalence ratio of osteoporosis was 17.3% in the suspicious group, 8.3% in the control group, and 45.1% in the fracture group, respectively. Osteopenia was observed in 40.8% of the suspicious group. Hansen's method (lowest lumbar vertebra) revealed the prevalence of osteoporosis in 30.6% of the suspicious group, 17.9% of the control group, and 62.0% of the fracture group.
Conclusion
Approximately 17.3% of the suspicious group was diagnosed with osteoporosis, and 40.8% were osteopenic by a confirmative BMD study (WHO criteria) among the adult males showing apparent radiolucency on plain X-rays. The control group also showed an 8% prevalence of osteoporosis. These results suggest that males also are vulnerable to osteoporosis. Therefore, a BMD study should also be used for males, especially for the people showing lumbar vertebrae with radiolucent features.

Keyword

male; X-ray; lumbar vertebrae; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; osteoporosis