Calcium Status Of Female And Male Medical Students

Abstract

Objective: To assess the calcium status of healthy female and male medical students.
Material & Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in 30 female and 30 male
healthy medical students in Department of Physiology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences,
Lahore. Subjects were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Height and weight of each
subject was determined and BMI was calculated. Serum calcium was determined by colorimetric
method. Serum parathyroid and calcitonin were estimated by the ELISA.
Results: The height and weight of female students were significantly less than those of male
students. BMI of female students was non-significantly lower than those of male students. In
female students, serum calcium and calcitonin levels were significantly lower while serum
parathyroid hormone was non significantly lower than in male students. A significant positive
correlation between serum calcium and serum calcitonin levels and significant negative
correlation between serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were found in total study
population. Significant correlations of serum calcitonin with weight and height were also present.
Conclusion: The female medical students have low calcium status and are more prone to have
bone loss.