Bone mineral content in a sample of Indonesian population

Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) was performed on 223 healthy subjects, consisting of 164 females (average age 38.84 years) and 59 males (average age 43 years), using a Somatom - CR CT-Scanner (Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany). A Siemens calibration phantom, which is composed of 2 components, water and 200 mg/ml hydroxyapatite, was used. The rate of BMC reduction with age in the female subjects was found to be not uniform. There was accelerated reduction during the perimenopausal period. This rate of reduction was found to be uniform in the male subjects. The average BMC of these male Indonesian in the various age groups did not differ greatly from reference values of other countries, as was also found in the female Indonesian subject up to the age of 50. There was a marked disparity from other studies in women over 50. Using the appropriate regression model, these values can be considered as reference values for Indonesians.