“CLINICO-RADIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN FOR OSTEOPOROSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF WESTERN MAHARASHTRA.”

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is a natural transition marked by hormonal changes, leading to various health concerns, including increased osteoporosis risk. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them susceptible to fractures, impacting mobility and independence. We studied the clinico-radiological aspects of postmenopausal women for low bone density and osteoporosis.

Methodology: The study involved 100 postmenopausal women aged 50 and above with low bone density (LBD) as confirmed by DEXA scans. Researchers categorized LBD as either osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5) or osteopenia (T-score between -1.0 and -2.5). Data collection included medical history, clinical examination, and a pre-tested questionnaire.

Results: DEXA scans revealed 58% (n=58) of women had osteoporosis and 42% (n=42) had osteopenia. Age distribution differed significantly between the two groups. The percentage of osteoporosis diagnoses steadily increased with age, with the highest prevalence (over 23%) in women above 70. While there were no significant differences in menarche or menopause age, women with osteoporosis had a higher average BMI (26.57 kg/m2) compared to those with osteopenia (23.36 kg/m2). Women with osteopenia engaged in more physical activity (35.68 minutes/day) compared to the osteoporosis group (24.71 minutes/day).

Conclusion: We observed higher BMI and lower physical activity levels as potential risk factors for osteoporosis compared to osteopenia. These findings emphasize the importance of promoting weight management, exercise, and early bone density screening for better bone health management in postmenopausal women.