Fear of falling, fracture history, and comorbidities are associated with health-related quality of life among European and US women with osteoporosis in a large international study

Abstract

Purpose-Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in women treated for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). The objective of this study was to examine the relationship Methods-Baseline data were obtained and combined from two large and similar multinational observational studies: Prospective Observational Scientific Study Investigating Bone Loss Experience in Europe (POSSIBLE EU ® )and in the US (POSSIBLE US™) including postmenopausal women in primary care settings initiating, switching or who had been on bone loss treatment for some time. HRQoL measured by health utility scores (EQ-5D™) were available for 7,897 women (94% of study participants). The relationship between HRQoL and baseline clinical characteristics, medical history and patient demographics was assessed using parsimonious, multivariable, mixed-model analyses. Europe PMC Funders GroupResults-Median health utility score was 0.80 (interquartile range 0.69-1.00). In multivariable analyses, young age, low body mass index, previous vertebral fracture, increased number of comorbidities, high fear of falling and depression were associated with reduced HRQoL. Regression-based model estimates showed that previous vertebral fracture was associated with lower health utility scores by 0.08 (10.3%) and demonstrated the impact of multiple comorbidities and of fear of falling on HRQoL.Conclusions-In this large observational study of women with PMO, there was substantial inter-individual variability in HRQoL. An increased number of comorbidities, fear of falling and previous vertebral fracture were associated with significant reductions in HRQoL.

Mediating effects on health-related quality of life in adults with osteoporosis: a structural equation modeling

“…Furthermore, women with osteoporosis with fracture histories have worse HrQoL than those without such histories [6]. Study results showed that women with osteoporosis with fractures had lower HrQoL than those without fractures [4,12]. Of different types of fractures, spine fractures had the strongest effect in decreasing HrQoL in women with osteoporosis [8].…”

“…HrQoL in women with osteoporosis is lower than that in population norms or those without this condition [4,12]. Furthermore, women with osteoporosis with fracture histories have worse HrQoL than those without such histories [6].…”

“…It is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone structure with a consequent increase in bone fragility. Spinal or femur fracture is a common complication of osteoporosis and results in back pain and functional impairments of individuals, especially in older adults [4,5]. Daily activities such as physical activities or work performance are affected, and negative consequences, such as falls, poor health-related quality of life (HrQoL), depression, or even financial drain to society are evident in individuals with osteoporosis [1,4,6].…”

A model of health education and management for osteoporosis prevention

“…Osteoporosis patients are associated with limitations in their functional capacity, pain, reduced social participation, reduced quality of life and fear of falling (15,16). Exercise is often recommended to manage osteoporosis for its benefits of increasing the bone diameter and optimizing balance and muscle function (17).…”

Eldre kvinners erfaringer med osteoporotiske brudd i ryggen

“…Studier har vist at det å leve med osteoporoserelatert vertebralfraktur reduserer eldre kvinners helserelaterte livskvalitet og at den kan vaere redusert flere år etter deres første fraktur (6,9,10).…”