The risk factors associated with the reduction bone mineral density

Introduction. Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic progressive disease, characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and a deterioration in the microarchitecture of bone, resulting in increased susceptibility to fracture. It is the most common in women after menopause. The World Health Organization defines OP as a BMD that is 2.5 standard deviations or more (as measured by dual-energy Xray absorptiometry) below the reference mean for healthy, young white women. There are numerous factors that may affect the development of osteoporosis: gender, age, race, early menopause, positive family history, low body weight, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, caffeine, chronic diseases and use of certain drugs. Objective. To determine the impact of risk factors on the development of reduced bone mineral density in females. Method. In this prospective study participated 120 women, older then 50 years, in period between 01.06.2009. and 31.12.2009. in Health Center Novi Sad and Health Center Ruma. Instrument of the study was the osteoporosis risk-assessment questionnaire. All patients were submitted to bone scan test (DEXA) and according to results divided into two groups. Group I-reduced bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and Group II-normal bone density. The collected data were statistically processed using χ² test and RR. Results. Group I comprised 52 (43.3%) subjects, 22 (18.3%) with osteoporosis and 30 (25%) with osteopenia. Group II with normal mineral density included 68 subjects (56.7%). In Group I- 19.2%, were smokers, 11.5% used cortiosteroids, 11.5% suffered from Rheumatoid arthritis, 11.5 had positive family history, and 46.2% positive history of the previous bone fractures. In Group II 13.2% were smokers, 7.4% used corticosteroids, 7.4% had rheumatoid arthritis, 5.8 a positive family history, and 7.4 history of previous fractures. The difference in the occurrence of fractures in patients with osteoporosis compared to normal bone density subjects was statistically significant (χ²=39.9, p 3 months, low calcium and vitamin D intake, low physical activity, low body mass index (BMD<18), cigarette smoking, impaired vision, dementia, abuse of alcohol and coffe.