OBJECTIVETo study the bone mineral density (BMD) of the third lumbar vertebrae and the Ward's triangle in the femoral neck and serum type I collagen C-telopeptide (CTx) level in female adults and provide scientific evidence for diagnosis and prevention of osteoporosis.

METHODSAccording to the inclusion criteria, 653 female adults were examined for BMD of the third lumbar vertebrae and the Ward's triangle in the femoral neck and the level of serum CTx.

RESULTSThe peak of BMD in the third lumbar vertebrae occurred in 30-39 years of age, and that of the Ward's triangle in the femoral neck occurred in 20-29 years of age, showing significant differences between the age groups (P<0.01). The BMD of the Ward's triangle in the femoral neck decreased earlier than that of the third lumbar vertebrae by one age period. The level of serum CTx increased with age, showing significant differences between the age groups (P<0.01) but not between the 20-29 years and the 30-39 groups, or between 30-39 and the 40-49 years groups. The prevalence of osteoporosis increased also with age, and osteoporosis in the third lumbar vertebrae increased rapidly in the 50-59 years and the 60-69 years groups, maintaining a high level in older ages. The prevalence of osteoporosis in the Ward's triangle in the femoral neck increased obviously after the peak of BMD, maintaining a significantly higher level than that of the third lumbar vertebrae in the same age group.

CONCLUSIONSThe BMD in the third lumbar vertebrae and the level of serum CTx undergo obvious changes with age, especially in menopause. There is no obvious relation between decreased BMD in the Ward's triangle in the femoral neck and menopause.