Preventive Program to Improve Quality of Life of People in Risk of Osteoporosis - Shared Scientific and Practical Experience

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a disease of serious medical and social significance. Despite existing knowledge, ongoing scientific research and disease prevention initiatives, the high morbidity and associated risks of fracture continue to be a cause of disability, impaired quality of life and high mortality. These are strong enough motives for the Osteoporosis problem to be the subject of attention, both in medical and scientific circles, as well as for those interested and responsible for their health. The acquired knowledge of motor and nutritional regimes applied in life would delay and even prevent the consequences of the inevitable physiological changes associated with advancing age. The prognosis for increasing average life expectancy in developed countries is inevitably associated with a significant increase in the incidence of osteoporosis. Early prevention of osteoporosis is a condition for reducing the health consequences of the disease. In this regard, Trakia University - Stara Zagora, Bulgaria was qualified for financing a research project with the main performer Medical College - Stara Zagora, with a two years term of implementation. The theme of the project was "Developing a preventive program to improve the quality of life of individuals at risk of osteoporosis". The work program contained ten main tasks: (1) Forming a group of women to be surveyed. The condition for inclusion was that they were over 45 years of age, occupying professions in which the work process is mainly in a static posture of the body, N = 255; (2) Making a questionnaire of 48 questions, grouped in 5 sections: motor activity, nutrition, pathological processes and changes in the musculoskeletal system, past and present conditions and diseases and medications received, with influence on calcium metabolism; (3) Determining the contingent of people at risk for osteoporosis, selected on the basis of the answers from the survey N = 85; (4) Conducting clinical laboratory tests for serum levels of Vitamin D, Osteokalcin and B Crross Laps; (5) Measurement of bone density by ultrasonic osteodensitometry with the SONOST 3000 apparatus; (6) Determining the extent of existing pain by completing the Pain Scale; (7) Development and implementation of a kinesitherapy program with exercises and recommendations for physical activity; (8) Improvement of health knowledge and culture of osteoporosis risk women contingent. For this purpose, two types of leaflets with health education content were developed: “Briefly on osteoporosis - how it affects the quality of human life and is there any chance of change” and “ Nutrition in osteoporosis ”; (9) Promoting the results obtained in the implementation of the work program of the research project; (10) Participation of members of the research team in the annual European Public Health WEEK, 13-17 May 2019, an initiative supported by the European Commission and the World Health Organization. The purpose of this paper is to inform about the experience and the implemented activities of the Scientific project of MK, Tr.U, as well as its participation in the European Public Health Week.