Evaluation of the quality of life of postmenopausal osteoporotic and osteopenic women with or without fractures

INTRODUCTION: Most studies concerned with the quality of life (QoL) of women with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) focus on patients with vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Our objective was to evaluate QoL among patients with reduced BMD regardless of their fracture history compared to women with normal BMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients in the study group were classified as osteoporotic, with BMD results measured by densitometry and expressed by T-score ≤ –2.5 SD, 122 women were osteopenic, with –2.5 < T-score ≤ –1.0 SD, and 97 subjects were assessed as normal, with T-score > –1.0 SD. Mean ages of women according to groups were 59.90, 57.67 and 55.68, respectively. Assessment of life quality was conducted using the Polish version of the QUALEFFO-41 scale. RESULTS: The ratings in the assessment (QUALEFFO-41) of QoL were lower for osteoporotic and osteopenic women than for the normal BMD group with regard to pain (p = 0.006), social function (p = 0.001), health perception (p = 0.001), and mental function (p = 0.001). For total QUALEFFO-41 the associated factors were: secondary and higher education (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29–0.82), self-perceived deformity of the back (OR = 4.09; 95% CI: 1.88–8.93), previous fractures (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.09–5.82), reduced height (OR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.13–5.39) and anxiety (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.21–1.66). CONCLUSIONS: It seems necessary to evaluate QoL of women with reduced BMD before fractures occur, to aid development of health education aiming to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis and prevent fractures.