Association between Demographic Factors and BMI with Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kurdistan Province, West of Iran

Background: Regarding the association of osteoporosis with various fractures and its disabilities, high cost of treatment and rehabilitation, asymptomatic majority of patients and revealing after serious disability and preventable disability and its complications, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and its association with demographic factors and body mass index (BMI) in patients referred to Sanandaj densitometry center.

Methods: This cross- sectional descriptive- analytic study was carried out on 250 patients referring to Sanandaj densitometry center from September 2017 to September 2018. For the subjects, BMD was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method at two bone segments, ie the hip and spine. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, fisher exact test, chi- square test and logistic regression test using SPSS V.23 software.

Results: In 250 studied subjects, there were found 68 cases (27.2%) osteoporosis in spine region and 38 cases (15.2%) in hip region. There was a significant correlation between age and incidence of osteoporosis in the spine and hip (P-value < 0.001), with the increase in age, the prevalence of osteoporosis increased. Despite the prevalence of osteoporosis in females, there was no significant relationship between sex and osteoporosis in spine and hip (P-value > 0.05). Despite the higher prevalence of osteoporosis in the study population living in the city, there was no significant relationship between residence and osteoporosis in spine and hip (P- value > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between education level and osteoporosis in spine and hip (P- value < 0.001), so that with the increase in education, the prevalence of osteoporosis decreases. There was a significant correlation between BMI and osteoporosis in spine and hip (P- value < 0.05), with an increase in BMI, the prevalence of osteoporosis decreases.

Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of osteoporosis. Therefore, considering the increased risk of fracture, the morbidity and mortality due to osteoporosis and their costs, increasing awareness of people about complications, how to reduce the risk factors and timely treatment, it seems necessary.