Evaluation of Bone Mineral Density in Carpet Weavers in Tabriz

Long hours of static work with awkward posture behind traditionally designed looms can potentially cause abnormality in bone mineral density (BMD). This aim of this study is to evaluate BMD in carpet weavers in Tabriz in 2007.

In a cross-sectional study, 80 professional carpet weavers aged 20-60 years, with at least 5 years of experience, working more than 5 hours a day for at least 3 days a week were recruited in Tabriz Imam Reza hospital during 17 months. The DXA method was employed for bone densitometry at three sites; pelvic bone, wrist and lumbar vertebrae. Presence of at least one abnormal result put the patient in osteopenia (-2.5Results Eighty carpet weavers, 48 females and 32 males with a mean age of 37.81±9.79 years were enrolled. Frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 55 and 17.5% in the studied population respectively. It was 68.8 and 21.9 percent in males and 45.8 and 14.6 percent in females, respectively. rate of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 50 and zero percent in cases aged 20-29 years; 60 and 10 percent in cases aged 30-39 years, 57.9 and 31.6 percent in cases aged 40-49 years; and 64.2 and 38.5 percent in cases aged 50-60 years, respectively. Rate of osteoporosis was significantly higher in males. This predominance remained after adjusting for age and duration of carpet weaving.

Comparing the results of current study with the rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis in normal population shows that the rate of these two abnormalities is significantly higher in carpet weavers. So interventions should be planned for preventing BMD abnormalities in this group.