Regional differences in hip bone mineral density levels in Norway: the NOREPOS study

Abstract

Regional differences in BMD at the hip were found in Norway. Reasons for this and potential impact on hip fracture rates should be explored in further studies.

International variation in proximal femur bone mineral density

“…European differences in proximal femur BMD have been demonstrated within pre-and post-menopausal populations in the Network in Europe on Male Osteoporosis (NEMO) study [4] and the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (EVOS) [5]. In addition, regional within-country variation in proximal femur BMD has been observed [2,6]. The variation in proximal femur BMD data between European populations appears greater than that seen between US regions [6].…”

“…In addition, regional within-country variation in proximal femur BMD has been observed [2,6]. The variation in proximal femur BMD data between European populations appears greater than that seen between US regions [6].…”

“…Geographical variation in proximal femur BMD [2,[4][5][6][7], however, has been shown to exist. European differences in proximal femur BMD have been demonstrated within pre-and post-menopausal populations in the Network in Europe on Male Osteoporosis (NEMO) study [4] and the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (EVOS) [5].…”

An example of a successful national research network in epidemiology – The Norwegian Epidemiologic Osteoporosis Studies (NOREPOS)

“…Methodological studies comparing the performance of densitometers used in Tromsø, Hordaland, Nord-Trøndelag and Oslo were carried out (35)(36)(37)(38). In one of these, a total of 16 participants agreed to travel between study sites and had measurements on each of the DXA machines in Tromsø, Bergen and Oslo.…”

Cohort profile: Norwegian Epidemiologic Osteoporosis Studies (NOREPOS)

“…For assessment of regional differences in BMD, the measurement levels of the densitometers had to be comparable. Hence, validation, precision and calibration studies, as well as inter-study comparisons, have been conducted [29][30][31][32]. We designed and carried out a methodological study comparing the performance of densitometers used in Tromsø, Bergen and Oslo.…”