Rural–urban differences in osteoporosis and sarcopenia prevalence among Gambian older adults: a pilot study
Authors' conclusion
Our findings highlight that osteoporosis and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in older Gambian adults, with differences in rural-urban prevalence influenced by sex.
Study context
- Population
- Gambian adults aged ≥55 yr from rural and urban communities; DXA (TH, FN, LS) and peripheral QCT (pQCT) (radius, tibia)
- Participants
- 209 vs 101
- Exposure
- Rural vs urban Gambian older adults
- Ruraln = 209
- Urbann = 101
- Outcome
- Prevalence of osteoporosis (NHANES III, T-score < −2.5) and sarcopenia (EWGSOP2 ALM and HGS); rural-urban differences in DXA and pQCT outcomes
Methodological detailspilot study
- Pilot study
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Osteoporosis at FN or TH
Urban men vs rural men
20% vs rural 10%
Rural women vs urban women
45% vs urban 31%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
LS T-score < −2.5, rural vs urban
- Men, rural vs urban
- 27% vs 14%
- Women, rural vs urban
- 61% vs 35%
Sarcopenia, rural vs urban
- Men, rural vs urban
- 30% vs. 18%
- Women, rural vs urban
- 18% vs 15%
DXA and pQCT outcomes, adjusted for age and fat mass index (FMI)
- Urban Gambians had lower BMC but greater bone area (BA) at the FN and TH, while areal BMD (aBMD) differed little
- Urban men had lower adjusted tibial cortical volumetric BMD (vBMD) but greater tibial diaphyseal and radial epiphyseal cross-sectional area (CSA)
- After adjustment, urban women had greater radial CSA and estimated strength
- Adjusted for age and FMI
Original publication
Rural–urban differences in osteoporosis and sarcopenia prevalence among Gambian older adults: a pilot study. J Bone Miner Res. Published 22 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →