Factors associated with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who conducted their examinations of Bone Mineral Densitometry in private clinic in the city of Maringá (PR) in the years of 2012 and 2013 and their association with risk factors. Methods: This transversal, descriptive exploratory study involving 177 postmenopausal women. The study included patients who presented primary osteoporosis, with or without hysterectomy and excluded volunteers who presented other conditions or diseases associated with altered bone mass. The main analyzed variables were: race; Body Mass Index; ages of menarche and menopause and menopause time. Results: The average age of the sample was 59 years old with a standard deviation of ±7.97 years. In relation to the classification of the patients according to the results of the examination of bone mass, 23% were in the normal group, 65% presented osteopenia and 12%, osteoporosis. Statistical analysis showed association of advanced age and time of menopause with the disease, but there was no statistical significance in relation to the analysis for association of other risk factors. Conclusions: The study conducted allows to conclude that there was a low prevalence of normal densitometry and high prevalence of low bone mass in the sampling population. The age and menopausal time period can be considered as risk factors for osteoporosis in the sample.