Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis with different perimenopause status.
Design: Descriptive study.
Setting: Menopause clinic, Hat Yai Regional Hospital.
Material and Method: From April 1997 to September 2006, 1,796 women who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) measurement at Hat Yai Regional Hospital were recruited for the analysis.
Main Outcome Measures: BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck using dual-energy xray absorptiometer (DXA), Lunar Expert-XL. The value of BMD bone between -1 and -2.5 standard deviation is considered osteopenia, and more than -2.5 standard deviation reflected osteoporosis.
Results: It was found that the prevalence of osteoporosis of lumbar spines and femoral neck was significantly higher in the late group of menopause (>5 years since menopause) than in the early group of menopause (<5 years since menopause) and than in the premenopause group. Osteoporosis at the lumbar spine was present in 1% of premenopause, 5.7% in the early group of menopause, and 10% in the late group of menopause. While osteoporosis at the femoral neck was present in 0.1% of premenopause, 0% in the early group of menopause, and 0.6% in the late group of menopause; both were statistically significant, (p < 0.001). Osteoporosis in the present study was not correlated with a history of osteoporosis among members of the family, insufficient calcium food, alcohol intake, caffeine intake, smoking, or non-exercise. Non-hormone intake, low body mass index, early and late group of menopause were highly significant correlated with osteoporosis.
Conclusion: During the perimenopause, the quantity and quality of BMD declines gradually or even rapidly. Many factors are known to be associated with osteoporosis. For general public health concern, the risk assessment for all perimenopausal women should be evaluated, probably followed by BMD.

Keywords: Prevalence, Osteoporosis, Menopause, Bone mineral density (BMD)