Government-Implemented population osteoporosis screening in rural china: achieving universal coverage with portable DXA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

China's rural elderly population (projected to reach 190 million by 2035) faces a high osteoporosis (OP) burden, with national sampling surveys reporting a 26.8% prevalence (95% CI: 25.1%-28.5%) in rural adults ≥60 years (Zeng, Li, Wang, et al., Arch Osteoporos 14:39-48, 2019). However, screening gaps persist due to limited central DXA access (< 1 unit/100,000 older adults) and poor sensitivity of quantitative ultrasound (QUS; <60% for asymptomatic OP). This study evaluated a novel government-led model using portable DXA (pDXA) to achieve universal screening coverage in rural China.

Methods

A STROBE-compliant cross-sectional study (June-November 2021) enrolled all eligible permanent residents ≥ 60 years (N = 3,530) in Tongcun Community, Wujiang District, Jiangsu.

SUBMITTER: Zhao W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12557848 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature