Metacarpal Index Phalanx ( MIP) Versus Absorptio1netery in Elderly Egyptians

Abstract

The prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing progressively. A substantial increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis is attributed to the increased diagnostic efficiency and ability to detect bone loss earlier by advanced techniques. The total costs of osteoporosis are difficult to assess because they include not only the direct costs ascribed to the disease as; medical care costs, investigations costs, medications costs, surgical interventions, hospital and nursing homes costs. But; also indirect costs, as loss of working days, decreased productivity, insurance etc. This, stands small besides the other intangible costs of suffering of both patients and the care givers. On the other hand, the advance in technologies of bone densometries is rapidly racing as well as their cost prices. These facts impose a major problem in the developing countries, like Egypt, in which a diagnostic tool should cost efficient. Hence, The use of a relatively inexpensive simple technique as the metacarpal index phalanx should be assessed in comparison to the relatively expensive DEXA.