Prevalence of osteoporosis in older postmenopausal women

Objective: To identify the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and its association with risk factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 115 older postmenopausal women who participated in the extension project of the Federal District University Center lasting one year, starting in 2017. Bone mineral density was measured using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry technique on lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck. Risk factors for low density were evaluated through interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared test (p<0.05). Results: The mean age was 67.8 ± 8.4 years and mean time since menopause was 16.7 ± 6.2 years. Mean bone mineral density was -0.96 ± 1.42 in the femoral neck and -1.25 ± 1.75 in the lumbar spine (L1-L4). The prevalence of low density was 66.9% for the lumbar spine and 52.1% for the femoral neck. We found a significant difference in age (50.5% between 51 and 55 years and low density), physical inactivity (82.9%), personal history of fracture in the last 5 years (31.2% with low density) and body mass index - overweight among women with normal bone mineral density (44.7%) when compared with those with low density (p<0.001). Conclusion: Postmenopausal women had a high prevalence of low bone mineral density and associated risk factors.