ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to assess the frequency of osteoporosis and to test factors that can have relationship with BMD. A cross sectional study was done during the period from October 2011 to February 2012. Adults [age >20 years] who attended an osteoporosis clinic in Dubai were included in the study. A validated pilot-tested questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The questionnaire included statements on history of chronic diseases, and participants' habits related to smoking, exercise, and intake of calcium supplementation, in addition to demographic data. Bone Mineral Density [BMD] had been assessed at the left proximal femur using dual energy x-ray absorptiometery [DXA]. The results of DEXA were taken from the participants' records and included in the analysis. WHO criteria were used to classify patients into normal BMD, osteoporosis and osteopenia. Analysis was performed with the use of SPSS software version 19, and Chi-square was done to test the association between variables. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Of the 135 participants, 54.8% [n=74] were males and 45.2% [n=61] were females. The frequency of normal BMD, osteopenia and osteoporosis was 37.8%, 43.7%, and 18.5% respectively. The frequency of osteoporosis among age groups <50 years, 50-59 years, and >/= 60 years were 2.6%, 12.7% and 57.7% respectively. Osteoporosis was more common among females [21.3%] than among males [16.2%], and among smokers [35.7%] than non- smokers [14%]. A lower frequency of osteoporosis was noticed among patients taking calcium supplements of doing exercise compared to those who were not having these life styles [10.8% vs 27.9%] and [8.8% vs 25.3%] respectively. A significant association was found between BMD and age [<0.001], history of renal diseases [<0.001], history of calcium supplement intake [p<0.001], exercise habit [p<0.05], and smoking habit [p<009]. The frequency of osteoporosis was 18.5%, and it was most common among the older age [ >/= 60 years] participants [57.7%]. Bone Mineral Density [BMD] was significantly associated with age [p<0.001], history of calcium supplement intake [p<0.001], exercise habit [p<0.05], smoking habit [p<0.01] and history of renal diseases [p<0.001]