Objective: It is well known that men loose bone density with aging and are at risk for osteoporosis. The risk factors for osteoporosis in men remain controversial. The objective of the study is to assess determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in middle aged Turkish men.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. One-hundred and ninety-three aged men between 35-65 years were evaluated. Bone density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire which included variables such as age, weight, height, formal education status, co-morbidity that might cause osteoporosis and as well as for malignancy or rheumatological or neurological diseases, and medications that affect bone metabolism (anticonvulsants, diuretics, thyroid hormone, corticosteroids, heparin, warfarin, methotrexate, and cyclosporine), smoking history, physical activity and calcium intake.

Results: According to the lumbar BMD values, 33.7% of them were osteoporotic. According to the hip BMD values, only 13% of were within osteoporotic range. Regression analysis indicated that calcium and alcohol consumption, smoking history, testosterone and cholesterol levels were significant predictors of hip and lumbar bone mineral density. We found a negative correlation between bone loss and calcium, alcohol consumption, testosterone and cholesterol levels. A positive correlation was found between smoking history and osteoporosis.

Conclusion: Smoking is one of the major causes of bone loss in Turkish males. We suggest that all of these parameters must be taken into account during the evaluation of diagnosis of osteoporotic patients.