The correlation of bone mineral density (BMD), body mass index (BMI) and osteocalcin in postmenopausal women

Background: Osteoporosis is related to the decrease of bone density, osteoporosis requires attention from dentists because it can also occurs in the jaw bone. Osteoporosis is calculated with a quantitative assessment of bone density, which is called Bone Mineral Density (BMD). The best imaging modalities to assess bone density are the Dual Energy examination methods X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). In addition to DEXA, osteoporosis examination can be performed with measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a ratio of weight and height. Process of bone formation by osteoblasts can be examined by bone marker such as Osteocalcin, as a parameter (alone or in combination with BMD) to determine metabolic bone disorders during bone formation and bone remodeling (bone turnover). Aim: To analyze the correlation among BMD, BMI and Osteocalcin in Postmenopausal women, to investigate the possibility of using osteocalcin examination to predict the mandibular bone osteoporosis. Method: Fifty four women above 51 years old who are at least 1 year postmenopausal, underwent BMD (using DEXA examinations), BMI, and Osteocalcin. The results of each examination were counted, and the correlations among each examinations were evaluated using Spearman's correlation test. Result: Means of BMD, BMI, and Osteocalcin in postmenopausal women were 1.606, 25.189, and 30.566 respectively. BMD were significantly correlated with BMI (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient r=0.414, p < 0.05). While, BMD were significantly correlated with Osteocalcin (r=-0.343, p < 0.05). Moreover, BMI were significantly correlated with Osteocalcin (r=-0.274, p < 0.05). Conclusion: There were significant correlations among BMD, BMI, and Osteocalcin results in postmenopausal women. It is concluded that each examination of BMD, BMI, and Osteocalcin can be used to identify the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Therefore simple examination of osteocalcin can be used to predict mandibular bone loss.