Background The awareness of osteoporosis (OP) symptoms and evolution may impact on patients daily activities. Osteoporosis may cause pain, reduce physical functioning and mobility also resulting in social isolation and depression¹.

Objectives To evaluate Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and pain in subjects with and without self-reported OP, in the general population and in a high risk of fracture (HRF) population.

Methods Cross sectional survey including a representative sample of Portuguese population aged ≥50 years (random route method, door to door) and a HRF population (convenience sample, selected randomly from nursing homes and long term facilities from Portugal). Inclusion criteria for HRF population were age ≥50 years, history of femoral neck fracture on the 24 months prior and absence of cognitive limitations. SF12 scale and ECOS were used.

Results

From the 2007 subjects of the general population (mean age of 65.3±10.4 years; 55.2% female), 62 (3.1; CI: 2.4%>3.9%) self-reported OP. HRF population included 419 subjects (mean age of 78.3±7.8;70.4% were female), 37.5% (n=157; CI: 32.9%>42.2%) self-reported OP. Significant differences were found for SF12 dimensions between subjects in general population with and without self-reported OP (Table 1). In HRF population no significant differences were found (Table 1). Regarding ECOS, significant differences were found between general population and HRF population with self-reported OP (2.74±0.79 vs. 3.15±0.85, p=0.001). No significant differences were found in ECOS pain items between general population and HRF population with self-reported OP (ECOS items 1 to 5: p=0.410; p=0.134; p=0.086; p=0.323; p=0.144, respectively).

Conclusions The evidence suggests that the HRQoL on the general population with self-reported OP was significantly lower in comparison with the population without OP, although no significant differences were found between groups in the HRF population. That could be partial explained by the presence of a low hip fracture in this group.

1. Bianchi ML, Orsini MR, Saraifoger S, Ortolani S, Radaelli G, Betti S. Quality of life in post-menopausal osteoporosis. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2005;3:78.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared