Quality of life in female patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture

Abstract

© 2017, Academy of Medical Sciences of Croatica. All rights reserved. The aim of this study was to estimate the quality of life in females with primary osteoporosis and vertebral fractures as a consequence of the disease, and to compare it to people without vertebral fractures. Subjects and Methods: Our cross-sectional study included 200 female patients with primary osteoporosis (100 with vertebral fractures and 100 without fractures), mean age 63.85±8.52 years, who received treatment at the Clinic for Medical Rehabilitation, Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. Data were based on history, questionnaire, and measurements of bone mineral density by DXA method using the Lunar Prodigy Primo device. Quality of life assessment was done by use of the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41). Vertebral deformities were established by lateral radiography of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions by an experienced radiologist. Statistically significant differences were established between the two groups, in particular for pain (t=-2.72, p=0.01), daily activities (t=-3.67, p=0.01), performing housework (t=-4.84, p=0.01), mobility (t=-3.40, p=0.01), leisure activities (t=-2.66, p=0.01) and perception of health status (t=2.48, p=0.05). Results: The results indicated that the quality of life in patients with vertebral fractures did not differ according to the level of fracture compared to the control group. Patients with vertebral fractures had a number of limitations due to pain and poorer physical functioning compared to those without fractures, while the quality of life dependence on the level of fracture was not recorded.