Preliminary study of distal forearm bone mineral density in residents of Doi Lo District: Observation and comparison with Mae Chaem, and Omkoi Districts, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Background: We previously reported distal forearm bone mineral density (BMD) information for individuals residing in Mae Chaem and Omkoi districts, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Objective: This study was aimed to observe distal forearm BMD in residents of Doi Lo District and compare this data with individuals residing in Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Materials and methods: Two hundred fifty-one subjects (215 women, 36 men), aged 24 to 69 years, currently reside in Doi Lo District. BMD was measured on the non-dominant distal forearm using peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDEXA). Subsequently, data from Doi Lo District were compared with data from Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District obtained from earlier studies. Results: Distal forearm BMD decreased, and the prevalence of osteoporosis increased in both females and males across age groups. This trend was consistent with data from Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the prevalence of distal forearm BMD and osteoporosis among females and males in Doi Lo District. The findings from Doi Lo District were consistent with those from Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. These results provide valuable insights into bone health among residents of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.