Osteoporosis and Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes in the Alameda County Study Population

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to identify physical and mental outcomes of osteoporosis that affect quality of life in women. METHODS: Data were from the Alameda County Study, a longitudinal study of health and mortality that since 1965 has followed a cohort of 6,928 American persons aged 16 to 94 years at baseline. Subjects for this analysis were women who survived until at least 1994 (N = 1,171). The variables analyzed as possible outcomes of osteoporosis included measures of physical health, quality of life, and mental health. Sequential logistic regression models were run, and associations were presented as odds ratios. RESULTS: After controlling for age, ethnicity, education, financial strain, and physical activity, subjects with osteoporosis in 1994 were more likely to report the following outcomes in 1999: frailty, difficulty with balance, weakness, problems with activities of daily living, fair/poor perceived health, never going out for entertainment, and not enjoying free time much. When controlling for chronic medical conditions, the odds ratios were reduced, but remained significant for difficulty with balance and weakness (odds ratio = 2.48) and problems with activities of daily living (odds ratio = 2.80). CONCLUSION: From this study, it appears that people with osteoporosis are at higher risk of developing problems with physical frailty and difficulties with activities of daily living, and may be at risk for reduced quality of life in terms of going out for entertainment and enjoying free time. Therefore, care should be taken to maintain the quality of life for people with osteoporosis by helping them to keep as physically functional as possible.