Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis in Women Referring to the Bone Densitometry Academic Center in Urmia, Iran

Osteoporosis is one of the fastest growing health problems around the world. Several factors can
affect this silent disease. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in
women in Urmia, a city in northwestern Iran.
Methods: This cross‑sectional study was performed on 360 non-pregnant women over the age of 15 who
referred for bone density testing to the Urmia Imam Khomeini Academic Hospital. Data were collected by
questionnaire, and bone mineral density of the femoral neck and lumbar spines L1- L4 was evaluated by dual
X-ray absorptiometry.
Results: The total prevalence of osteoporosis in this study was 42.2%; prevalence of osteoporosis among women
45 years old or less was 14.3% and over the age of 45 years was 50.7%. The factors such as level of education,
history of bone fracture, disease history (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure), gravidity and parity
values, duration of lactation (p<0.001), nutrition dimension of lifestyle (p=0.03), and green tea consumption
(p=002) showed a statistically significant association with the bone mineral density. According to the regression
model, age (OR=1.081), history of bone fracture (OR=2.75), and gravidity (OR=1.14) were identified as
significant risk factors for osteoporosis, while the body mass index (OR=0.94) was identified as a protector
against osteoporosis.
Conclusion: The prevalence of osteoporosis in this study was high, and findings showed that the advancement
of age, lifestyle, and reproductive factors (especially gravidity and duration of lactation) were determining
factors for osteoporosis .Appropriate educational programs and interventions could help to increase the women’s
peak bone mass therefore reducing their risk of developing osteoporosis.