The Prevalance and Risky Factors of Osteosporosis in Over 50-Year-Old Women

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a serious and costly public health problem. This is a disease of bone system characterized by low bone mass density, damaged and changed bone tissue structure, gradual decrease of bone tolerance and increased bone fracture risk. Osteoporosis usually occurs in elderly people, especially women during the premenopausal and postmenopausal. But osteoporosis is a preventable disease because of the risky factors of diseases caused by lifestyle and diet, these factors can be controlled by each individuals. Aims: The aims of this research are (1) to estimate the osteoporosis rate in 50-year-old women to recommend educational measures and to help them detect early osteoporosis; (2) to find out currently the relations among osteoporosis and other risky factors, (3) to evaluate their knowledge in osteoporosis prevention. It is one of important steps in propaganda prevention. Methods: Cross sectional study in 1096 over 50-year-old women was measured bone density by Quantitative Computed tomography the lumbar spine in Thong Nhat hospital - Dong Nai province. Osteoporosis is defined according to WHO standards (1994). Results: Overall rate of osteoporosis in the study is 61.4%, the rate of bone loss increases with age. Some factors: old age, menopause, underweight, overweight or obesity; less physical exercise; the women gave births more than 3 times ; drinking coffee > 3 times a day; other chronic digestive diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, long time corticoid therapy. They are the risky factors relating to osteoporosis. The osteoporosis knowledge in over 50-year-old women in the research is very low (7.9%). Key words: osteoporosis, bone mineral density, Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT), risky factor.