Factors related to osteoporosis of postmenopausal women in Phayao, Thailand

This study was to investigate the associations between personal factors, health-related factors, history of fractures, and lifestyles and osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women.

This study was based on a retrospective case–control study design conducted in the Phayao Hospital, Phayao Province, Thailand. The 136 menopausal women aged 40 years and older were examined for bone density with dual x-ray absorptiometry. Those who had test results less than or equal to −2.5 standard deviation when compared to the maximum mean bone mineral density of young women (T score ≤ −2.5) were classified as the case group, and those who had test results more than −2.5 standard deviation when compared to the maximum mean bone mineral density of young women (T score > −2.5) were classified as the control group. Data were collected using questionnaires. Binary logistic regression with forward stepwise (likelihood ratio) model selection was used to explore the associated factors.

The factors statistically related to osteoporosis were body mass index (BMI; adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.81; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.71–0.93), age at menopause (OR = 0.88; 95 % CI, 0.79–0.99), history of fractures (OR = 10.00; 95 % CI, 2.71–36.94), family history of osteoporosis (OR = 2.66; 95 % CI, 1.04–6.77), and non-consumption of foods containing legumes, dried beans, and grains (OR = 13.84; 95 % CI, 2.08–92.11).

It is recommended that more studies should be conducted on finding the optimal BMI and on the consumption of legumes, dried beans, and grains as osteoporotic protective factors.