Bone mineral metabolism and different indices of skeletal health of Ladakhi women living at high altitude.

OBJECTIVES: High altitude possesses a great challenge for human survival owing to low oxygen tension and has been reported to cause bone deterioration among sojourns of high altitude. The bone health of Ladakhi women is investigated for the first time in this study.

METHODS: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of Ladakhi women and sea level women was done at the radius and calcaneus using EXA-3000 (Osteosys, Korea), followed by colorimetric and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay analysis of parameters regulating bone health.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between bone mineral density of Ladakhi women and sea level women at radius (P = 0.287) or calcaneus (P = 0.839). Almost similar cases of osteopenia were reported at both sites measured in the study among both groups. Two post-menopausal Ladakhi women however, had osteoporosis at the radius while 4 had osteoporosis at calcaneus. Significant increase in calcium levels with a decrease in intact parathyroid hormone and an increase in calcitonin levels were observed in Ladakhi women as compared to sea level women. Though there was no significant difference in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of both groups, a higher percentage of 25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency (77% vs 23%) was observed in Ladakhi women as compared to sea level women. Estradiol levels were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggest that there is no significant relationship between high altitude living and bone mineral density among Ladakhi women.