Evaluation of risk factors for fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Abstract

Introduction: The main consequence of osteoporosis is bone fracture. Bone fracture risk is determined by several risk factors beyond osteodensitometric results. Some of these factors could be estimated by simple clinical questionnaires. Aim: The aim of the present study (Score-HU) was to investigate the risk factors of bone fracture among osteoporotic postmenopausal women (n = 11,221), who were examined in an osteologic outpatient departments. Method: Risk factors of each patient were recorded with the use of a simple identical data sheet. Results: The incidence of risk factors were the following: previous bone fracture (79.4%), medication (except antiporotic treatment, antihypertensive drugs 67.9%, sleeping pills 36%, antidepressants 26.5%, corticosteroids 13.5%), decreased mobility (44.6%), early menopause (31.9%), smoking (31.2%), frequent falls (29.1%), and poor health status (more than 3 chronic diseases; 24.1%). Conclusions: Estimating the above mentioned risk factors we could assess the bone fracture risk more accurately than taking alone the bone mineral density results into consideration.