PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Zeidan A. Zeidan AU - Intisar E. Sultan AU - Shaista S. Guraya AU - Abdulmohsen H. Al-Zalabani AU - Khalid I. Khoshhal TI - Low bone mineral density among young healthy adult Saudi women AID - 10.15537/smj.2016.11.16248 DP - 2016 Nov 01 TA - Saudi Medical Journal PG - 1225--1233 VI - 37 IP - 11 4099 - http://smj.org.sa/content/37/11/1225.short 4100 - http://smj.org.sa/content/37/11/1225.full SO - Saudi Med J2016 Nov 01; 37 AB - Objectives: To screen for low bone mineral density among young adult Saudi women using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and exploring the high risk groups.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 279, 20-36 years old female students and employees of Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January and May 2014. The study included bone status assessed using QUS, a structured self-reported questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and evaluation of bone markers of bone metabolism.Results: The prevalence of low bone mineral density was 9%. Serum osteocalcin was found significantly higher in candidates with low bone mineral density, 20.67 ng/ml versus 10.7 ng/ml, and it was negatively correlated with T-scores. At any given point in time the exposed subjects to low calcium intake and inadequate sun exposure in the population were 11 times and 3 times more likely to have low bone mineral density, (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 11.0; 95%confidence interval [CI]=3.16, 38.34; p=0.001) and (adjusted OR, 3.32, 95%CI=1.27, 8.66, p<0.01).Conclusion: Early detection screening programs for low bone mineral density are needed in Saudi Arabia as it affects young Saudi women specially the high-risk group that includes young women with insufficient calcium intake and insufficient sun exposure. Serum osteocalcin as a biomarker for screening for low bone mineral density could be introduced.