DEXA Contribution in Bone Densitometry Evaluation on Osteoporosis in Senegal: Results of a Study Realized in African Black Populations

Abstract

Osteoporosis, a public health problem is able to occur severe fractures and its prevalence increases in developing countries. Several factors involved in its pathogenesis. These factors are: Heredity, elderly, race, ethnicity, hormones, physical inactivity, sunlight exposure, vitamin D deficiency and certain drugs. In Africa, few data are available and the disease prevalence is maybe underestimated. In Senegal, measure of bone mineral density is recent. In this study, our objective was to determine DEXA patients profile and epidemiological, clinical characteristics of patients for densitometry examination. Thus, 43 cases were collected; lumbar and femoral sites were evaluated. Median lumbar T-score was 0.91 and the femoral T-score was 0.16. Osteopenia was found in 35% of patients and osteoporosis in 26%. Bone Mineral Density was abnormal in 60% of cases. This study is another proof of documented reality of osteoporosis in Senegal. It determines frequency in a population at risk. For the future, it opens way for further larger studies to get better profile of the patients and prevalence osteoporosis in Senegal.