“A study to compare the risk of fractures in patients having osteoporosis vs patients having osteopenia”

Abstract

Background

Osteoporosis and osteopenia both increasing in prevalence are causes of fractures and increased morbidity among especially post menopausal women. This study was done to compare the risk of having a fracture among osteoporosis patients vs those having an osteopenia.

Materials and methods

This study was done at the department of Orthopedics in a tertiary hospital in India from 1^st January 2021 to 30^th June 2021. It was a cross sectional observational study in which a DXA examination of spine (lumbar) and proximal femur was done and measurements were noted. A total of 100 patients were studied by convenience sampling and were divided into 2 groups of 50 patients each based on having osteoporosis and osteopenia respectively.

Results: In this study a total of 100 patients studied divided into 2 groups of 50 patients each. The osteoporosis group had 8 men and 42 women and the osteopenia one had 7 men and 43 women. The mean age in the osteoporosis group was 62.24±8.23 years while that in the osteopenia group was 61.34±8.53 years. it was found that statistically significant differences were found in weight  (P=0.02) and previous fractures (P=0.03). Major osteoporosis fracture and hip fracture as per the FRAX calculator assessment for 10 years and it was found that about 60% patients had a low risk, 30% had intermediate risk, while 10% had high risk. About hip fracture, 64%patients with osteoporosis had low risk, 30% high risk, while 6% presented with an intermediate risk.

Conclusion

Osteoporosis patients presented with a comparatively higher risk of major osteoporotic fracture.