ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a systemic disease caused by loss of Bone Mass Density [BMD] and consequent fractures of disease increase the pain and decrease the individual's quality of life. The present study was conducted to compare the quality of life in osteoporotic postmenopausal women with their normal counterparts. A cross sectional study was conducted on 275 postmenopausal females referred to the Namazi hospital in Shiraz. BMD was measured based on WHO standards and subjects with BMD < - 2.5 Standard Deviation [SD] of the average value, were defined as having osteoporosis [cases], while those with BMD >1 SD, were considered normal [controls]. The Qualeffo-41 questionnaire was used to estimate the quality of life and was reported on a scale of 100. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using the t-test and descriptive statistics. The mean of the quality of life score was 25.5 +/- 11.7 and based on the WHO definition, 70.2% of participants were affected by osteoporosis. Estimates for good quality of life in osteoporosis subjects and normal postmenopausal females were 22.3% and 30.5%, respectively. Comparing the different aspects of quality of life in the cases and normal postmenopausal females, showed a statistical difference between the two groups in the "social activities" aspect. Regarding the gradual and asymptomatic trend of osteoporosis, it is essential to pay more attention to the preventive aspect of the disease to curtail effects of its outcomes on the quality of life.