• K H Leong and P H Feng.
• Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
• Singap Med J. 1997 Jan 1; 38 (1): 25-6.

AimsThe first aim is to obtain a reference database of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements for Singaporean women across different age groups and to compare this with an American database using the same machine. The second is to study the lifestyle factors that may influence bone mass in these women.MethodsSubjects were recruited from hospital staff and their relatives. They needed to fulfil inclusion criteria and those with confounding factors such as being on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were excluded. A lifestyle questionnaire was administered.ResultsAcross every five-year age band, the mean BMD measurements of the Singaporean women were 3%-8% lower than their American counterparts at the AP spine and 6%-11% lower at the femoral neck. 40.6% either drank milk, ate cheese or took calcium supplements everyday. 16.6% did some form of weight bearing exercise at least once a week.ConclusionA local reference database is needed for the accurate interpretation of BMD measurements as there is significant variation compared to Caucasian values.

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