To Evaluate the Utility of Singh Index as an Indicator of Osteoporosis and a Predictor of Fracture Neck Femur

Abstract Osteoporosis is the commonest metabolic bone disease in clinical practice and a major public health problem worldwide. The gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis is Bone mineral density by DEXA. This investigation is expensive and not available in most Indian cities. Aim of the present study was to assess the utility of Singh Index as an inexpensive tool for the screening of osteoporosis and also to predict the future risk of fracture neck femur in a high risk population. The study also aimed to grade the degree of osteoporosis according to Singh index in a population of patients with fracture and compare with age and sex matched controls. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients both males and females with fracture neck femur were compared with controls. Antero posterior X ray was obtained with hip 15 degrees internally rotated and Singh index(SI) was graded from 1 to 6. A lower SI represents a more osteoporotic bone. Results: The SI in the patient group was collectively significantly lower(p