Shazia Khokhar, Jahan Ara Hasan, Sarah Qazi.
Osteoporosis and its risk factors among menopausal women.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;53(2):42-5.

Background: The characteristic features of osteoporosis are low bone mass and bone degeneration. Female hormones protect them from osteoporosis but after menopausal, her age, BMI, duration of menopause, dietary or nutritional intakes and life style play a role in the occurrence and severity of osteoporosis. Objectives: To determine the association of osteoporosis with age, BMI and other risk factors in post menopausal women. Study type, settings and duration: Cross sectional study conducted in Obs. & Gyne ward of Lyari General Hospital Karachi from March 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011. Subjects and Methods: A total of 122 postmenopausal women having natural menopause, aged over 45 years and who agreed to get a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan were included in the study. A questionnaire was filled for all. Results: On scan, 52.5% women had osteoporosis, 29.5% osteopenia and 18% were normal. Most (64.3%) osteoporotic women were > 55 years (p < 0.03). Osteoporosis was more (55.7%) in obese patients (insignificant). Risk factors reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05 and odds ratio > 1) included age, history of trauma/ fracture, low intake of calcium & Vitamin-D, backache, low physical activity. Using arms to assist in standing was the commonest sign. Conclusion: Many women have osteoporosis which remains undiagnosed. The significant risk factors associated with osteoporosis in these women were advancing age, lack of physical activity, low intake of calcium and history of trauma/ fracture.

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