Background: Bone strength decreases with age. Bone mineral density (BMD) is a measure of bone strength. Data on BMD in present-day Inuit are limited, and data on circumpolar populations using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA scanning) are lacking.
Objectives: Our aims were to validate DEXA scanning for use in field studies in the Arctic region and to obtain data on BMD in Greenland Inuit.
Methods: We measured BMD in 52 healthy Inuit living in Ilulissat and Saqqaq in North Greenland using a portable peripheral DEXA scanner. The measurement sites were forearms and calcaneal bones. Two measurements were performed at both radii and both calcanei. Triplicate measurements were performed in eleven Inuit.
Results: The portable scanner fitted into a standard bag suitable for transportation in the arctic winter. Imprecision was well within 2% for all calibrations. CV% were 0.16% to 1.79% in the forearms and 0.38% to 1.53% in the heels. The overall CV% was 1.09% in forearm and 1.01% in heel. Mean BMD in men was 0.569 g/cm2 in forearms and 0.542 in heel. In women it was 0.479 in forearms and 0.468 in heel.
Conclusion: DEXA scanning is a feasible, reliable and comfortable method in rural Greenland. BMD values are now available for Greenland Inuit.