Bone health status of postmenopausal Chinese women.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis in treatment-naïve postmenopausal women, their treatment adherence, and the risk factors for osteoporosis.


DESIGN
Cross-sectional study of bone density reports, a self-administered health checklist, and computerised consultation records.


SETTING
Primary care sexual and reproductive health service in Hong Kong.


PARTICIPANTS
Postmenopausal Chinese women who had never received osteoporosis treatment or hormone replacement therapy.


INTERVENTION
Each woman completed a checklist of risk factors for osteoporosis, menopause age, history of hormone replacement therapy, and osteoporosis treatment prior to undergoing bone mineral density measurement at the postero-anterior lumbar spine and left femur. The consultation records of those with osteoporosis were reviewed to determine their treatment adherence.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
T-score at the spine and hip, presence or absence of risk factors for osteoporosis, and treatment adherence.


RESULTS
Between January 2008 and December 2011, 1507 densitometries were performed for eligible women; 51.6% of whom were diagnosed with osteopenia and 25.7% with osteoporosis. The mean age of women with normal bone mineral density, osteopenia, and osteoporosis was 57.0, 58.0, and 59.7 years, respectively. Approximately half of them had an inadequate dietary calcium intake, performed insufficient weight-bearing exercise, or had too little sun exposure. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, body mass index of <18.5 kg/m(2), parental history of osteoporosis or hip fracture, and duration of menopause were significant risk factors for osteoporosis. Among those with osteoporosis, 42.9% refused treatment, 30.7% complied with treatment, and 26.3% discontinued treatment or defaulted from follow-up. Those who refused treatment were significantly older.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteoporosis is prevalent in postmenopausal women. Only 50% adopted primary prevention strategies. Almost 70% refused treatment or stopped prematurely.
['Lo|Sue S T|SS|']
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon D000367:Age Factors D044466:Asians D015992:Body Mass Index D015519:Bone Density D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic D002136:Calcium, Dietary D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D005269:Femur D006304:Health Status D006723:Hong Kong D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy D006801:Humans D016015:Logistic Models D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae D008875:Middle Aged D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal D010349:Patient Compliance D017698:Postmenopause D012307:Risk Factors D013472:Sunlight D013997:Time Factors D016312:Treatment Refusal
Menopause Bone and bones Female