Naslov
Calcaneous Ultrasonographic Assessment of Bone Mineral Density In the Roma Minority Population of Croatia – Preliminary Report

Autori
Škarić-Jurić, Tatjana ; Zajc, Matea ; Smolej Narančić, Nina ; Barbalić, Maja ; Peričić, Marijana ; Barać Lauc, Lovorka

Izvornik
Collegium Antropologicum (0350-6134) 30 (2006), 4; 761-765

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Roma minority; Bayash; bone mineral density; osteoporosis; Croatia

Sažetak
A multidisciplinary anthropological and epidemiological pilot field study of the Bayash population living in 6 villages of the eastern Croatian region of Baranya has been performed in 2005/06. The Bayash (or Boyash) belong to the Roma minority population speaking a distinct archaic dialect of the Romanian language. Since the bone mineral density values in the Roma have not been explored so far and the prevalence of osteoporosis is unknown for this ethnic minority group a screening by means of the &#8220; Sahara&#8221; Hologic clinical bone sonometer has been performed on 232 voluntary participants (73 males and 159 females). The prevalence of osteoporosis (T-score <-2.5) in the Bayash aged 50 and older is found to be 9.1% in males and 34.4% in females, which is substantially higher than in the general population of Croatia. The prevalence of T-values ranging from -1 to -2.5 indicating osteopenia is found to be 63.6% in males and 45.3% in females, while normal T-values range is found only in 27.3% males and 20.3% females. In addition to the low bone mass in older subjects, the mean estimated bone mineral density in all age groups of Bayash men and women was lower in comparison to the manufacturer&#8217; s reference ranges for European Caucasian population of the same age. Since body size effects could not be declined, the reference values that would be appropriate for the Roma population should be further explored. The high estimated prevalence of developed osteoporosis calls for attention and the survey should also be extended towards exploring the association of low bone mineral density with particular life style and reproductive factors present in this semi-sedentary Roma population.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti, Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita, Etnologija i antropologija

POVEZANOST RADA