[Prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in a population sample of Szczecin residents over 50 years of age]. / Czestosc wystepowania i czynniki ryzyka osteoporozy w próbce populacyjnej mieszkanców Szczecina powyzej 50. roku zycia.

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of osteoporosis and risk factors were evaluated in the random sample of Szczecin population aged over 50 years. Five hundred five individuals (273 women and 232 men) were examined. Risk factors for osteoporosis were evaluated with the aid of an questionnaire. Two X-ray pictures of both thoracic and lumbar spine were taken in the lateral position in all examined subjects and evaluated for osteoporosis. The most frequently encountered risk factors included low physical activity (60% of women and 50% of men), tobacco smoking (43% of women and 79% of men), low consumption of the diary products in adolescence (53% of women and 49% of men), history of bone fractures, early menopause, and diabetes mellitus. The interpretation of X-ray findings showed that the incidence of osteoporosis was increasing with the age in both sexes, and was considerably higher in women. An analysis of the relationship between risk factors and radiological diagnosis of osteoporosis with chi 2 test showed that significantly higher incidence of the disease in women was associated with long-term immobilization, low milk consumption, tobacco smoking, and early menopause. Osteoporosis in men correlated with only tobacco smoking.