What is a disadvantage of the WHO criteria for osteoporosis?

• A. It is applicable to all genders and races
• B. It does not include reference databases
• C. It is mainly used for postmenopausal Caucasian women
• D. It requires advanced imaging techniques

Answer: (C)

The WHO criteria for osteoporosis primarily utilizes the measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) to define osteoporosis and low bone mass, with significant emphasis on postmenopausal Caucasian women. This focus arises due to the higher prevalence of osteoporosis within this demographic, leading to a substantial database of research and reference values that predominantly reflect their bone density characteristics. As a result, the criteria may not be fully representative or applicable to other populations, including premenopausal women, men, and individuals from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. This limitation can lead to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of osteoporosis in those other groups, highlighting the criteria's disadvantage in its broader application across diverse demographics.