Objective: To know the characteristics of the postmenopausal women with osteoporosis consulting Rheumatology Hospital Divisions in Spain.
Methods: An epidemiologic, observational, transverse and multicentric study was performed from June to September 2008 in 63 rheumatology divisions in Spain. Six hundred and twenty nine osteoporotic postmenopausal women were studied using a questionnaire designed to get demographic, clinical, radiological, bone density, and functional information. Every physician had to choose only one patient per day, usually the first woman to come in and fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: Mean age of included women was 66,6 [9,2) years, weight:64,6[10,1] kg and body mass index: 26,1[4,1] kg/m(2). They were 3,1[2,8] cm shorter than the maximal historical height. 35,7% of them had a family history of fracture and 40,7% had a past history of fracture, of which 54,8% were vertebral fractures. Patients who received calcidiol <20 ng/ml sustained more falls (p=0,033) and fractures (p=0,006) than women receiving calcidiol >20 ng/ml. Risk of falls and fractures increased with advancing age and 51,5% of women who fell, had a fracture. 75% of women had poor calcium intake (≤400 mg/day). The Get up & go test showed a linear trend to an increased probability of >20s in relationship with the age as well as with an increased incidence of fractures. 71,8% of patients had back pain and in 85,3% it went from moderate to severe.
In conclusion: Most osteoporotic postmenopausal Spanish women have a low calcium intake, one out of three has a family history of fractures that increases fracture incidence and this shows a relationship with age and functional capacity; four out of ten have had any type of fractures, one out of three have fallen during the past year and half of these present back pain. Calcidiol levels have been evaluated in a small group of patients.
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