A correlation between predisposing risk factors for osteoporosis with bone densitometry results.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is an important public health matter. It is a very common condition characterised by a low bone mass thus increase bone fragility which in turn increases the risk for fractures. Such fractures often involve the hip, spine, and distal radius although other bones may be involved. The management of such fractures is very expensive, especially those concerning the hip. The aim of the health care providers is to identify the disease as early as possible to minimise such implications. Therefore the prevention and management of osteoporosis is crucial for health care providers. Osteoporosis is diagnosed by means of a Bone Density Scan. Nonetheless this must be combined with an extensive screening for possible potential risk factors. Several risk factors seem to play an important role in the predisposition for osteoporosis. Furthermore the risk factors for osteoporosis are cumulative meaning that the more you have the more are your chances for developing the disease. Conversely once the risk factors are identified and corrected with the appropriate strategy the risk for the prevalence of osteoporosis will decline. In this study the correlation between the predisposing risk factors for osteoporosis and bone densitometry results, was carried out. The researcher deduced that, treatment for breast cancer, previous :fractures, low dietary calcium intake, being over sixty five years, glucocorticoid therapy, family history of osteoporotic fractures, early menopause, periods stop for over six months before menopause and sedentary lifestyle, contribute for the predisposition of osteoporosis, listed in order of significance.