Document Type : Original research
Authors
1 Consultant of Internal Medicine, Kirkuk General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Kirkuk, Iraq
2 Baghdad Street, Family Medicine Clinic Center, Kirkuk, Iraq
3 Kirkuk General Hospital, Kirkuk, Iraq
Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis is a significant health concern in postmenopausal women, leading to increased morbidity. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia and to identify associated risk factors among Iraqi postmenopausal females attending a specialized clinic.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic of Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq, from April 2019 to April 2021. A total of 1085 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 84 years were included. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and results were interpreted using WHO criteria for T scores.
Result: The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was 37.5% and 44.6%, respectively. Osteoporosis was most commonly observed in the lumbar spine (32.4%) and left femoral neck (14.4%). Osteopenia was most prevalent in the left femoral neck (56.1%) and lumbar spine (41.3%). Significant risk factors associated with osteoporosis included extended duration of menopause, high parity, physical inactivity, overweight or normal BMI, positive family history, poor sun exposure, high daily caffeine intake, low calcium intake, and late menarche. Interestingly, women with type 2 diabetes had a lower prevalence of osteoporosis.
Conclusions: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are highly prevalent among Iraqi postmenopausal women. Increased public education and preventive strategies are essential to reduce the burden of this disease.
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