Assessment of osteoporotic fracture risk in urban Indian population using quantitative ultrasonography & FRAX tool

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: There have been studies around the world on the prevalence of osteoporosis and its related risk factors, but there have been limited studies on risk factors and osteoporosis in the Indian population. In this study, the incidence of osteoporosis and the associated clinical risk factors (CRFs) were studied in the urban Indian population. METHODS: Bone mineral density of 445 individuals >38 yr of age using qualitative ultrasound (QUS) was assessed. The patients were also questioned regarding the presence of the various CRFs as per the FRAX tool. The patients were categorized into normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis groups on the basis of T-score from QUS. RESULTS: There were 223 males and 222 females in this study. Sex was significantly associated with T-score (P<0.001). Forty (8.99%) patients were osteoporotic, 265 (59.55%) were osteopenic and the remaining 140 (31.46%) were normal. A significant association of T-score was found with parent history of fracture (P<0.05), rheumatoid arthritis (P<0.05) and secondary osteoporosis (P<0.05). Previous history of fracture's association was not found to be significant. Smoking, alcohol intake and steroid intake were not found to be significantly associated with T-scores. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of osteoporosis was found to be high in the urban Indian population. More care and attention should be targeted towards elderly, especially the ones with the risk factors to prevent osteoporosis in future.