Osteoporosis : an evaluation of risk factors.

Abstract

In 1998, the European Community reported that osteoporotic patients occupy 500,000 hospital bed nights per year in the European Community. The present research study was designed to investigate risk factors associated with osteoporosis in the Maltese population, knowledge of which is lacking. An interview was used to gather information about possible risk factors from patients attending the Bone Density Unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Malta. The results were compared to the literature review. Being female, over 60 years and under 60 kilograms proved to be the most significant risk factors. It is recommended that a screening programme is introduced to examine high risk people i.e. those falling under the mentioned risk factors. Single-photon absorptiometry, Dual X-ray absorptiometry, Quantitative computed tomography, Quantitative ultrasound and Magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed from the literature and compared to each other in order to evaluate their suitability for assessing osteoporosis.