Introduction: Osteoporosis is a serious metabolic bone disorder marked by thinning and brittle bones, predominantly affecting elderly individuals, especially postmenopausal women. The purpose of this cohort study is to investigate the frequency of fractures caused by bone fragility in osteoporotic patients compared to osteopenia patients.
Method: This study included men and women aged 20-90 from Baqiyatallah Hospital's rheumatology clinic. Patients' osteoporosis database information was collected, along with demographic and clinical data, including medical history, drug use, and family history. Patients were classified into osteoporosis and osteopenia groups based on bone density measurements. General biomarker tests related to bone metabolism were conducted.
Results: In this study, 1264 (76.4%) had osteopenia, while 390 (23.6%) had osteoporosis. Significant differences were found in age, receiving thyroid medication, and various health conditions between the two groups. Major osteoporotic index and hip fracture index were higher in the osteopenia group, while Young-Femur and age-Femur indices were lower. Various blood indices differed significantly between the two groups. Vitamin D3 levels were higher in the osteopenia group, while alkaline phosphatase levels were lower. Factors such as thyroid medication, underactive thyroid, liver disorders, Young-Femur variables, HB, HCT, RBC, and vitamin D3 were associated with higher chances of osteopenia. Conversely, kidney disease, epilepsy, dietary nutrient intake, major osteoporotic indices, hip fracture index, WBC, BUN, Crea, ESR, alkaline phosphatase, and age were linked to higher chances of osteoporosis.
Conclusion: Understanding fracture frequency in osteoporotic and osteopenia patients, along with related risk factors, aids in prevention planning.