Introduction: Fractures of the vertebral bodies are a frequent complication of osteoporosis, hospitalization, decline in physical fitness and, in consequence, deterioration in the quality of life. Objective: The aim of the study was assessment of the quality of life according to the QUALEFFO-41 questionnaire in patients who had undergone fractures of the vertebral bodies, and presentation of the relationships between the quality of life, socio-demographic characteristics, and selected factors concerning the state of health. Materials and Method: The study included 243 women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and was conducted in the Outpatient Departments for the Treatment of Osteoporosis in the city of Lublin (eastern Poland). For the purposes of the study, the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QUALEFFO-41) and the author's questionnaire were employed, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, t-Student test, and Tukey test were used, along with analysis of variance (ANOVA). The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: The quality of life of woman with vertebral compression fractures remains on a mediocre level. Significant relationships were observed between the respondents' quality of life and certain socio-demographic characteristics, duration of the disease, and complaints related with osteoporosis. Conclusions: It is important to implement appropriate therapy and provide comprehensive, holistic care to women after fractures.
Keywords: life style; osteoporosis; osteoporotic vertebral fracture; quality of life; self-estimation of state of health.