Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis – The effect of exercise on markers of quality of life

Abstract

Abstract Background Osteoporosis (OP) is a major and increasing health problem worldwide, especially in European countries, where the modern, sedentary lifestyle from an early age leads to brittle bones later in life. Patients affected by OP tend to move less and have a lower quality of life (QoL). This study aims to evaluate how OP affects individual markers for QoL in postmenopausal women and assess the influence of exercise on these markers. Methods The EQ-5D questionnaire was administered to evaluate Mobility, Self-care, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression in a sample of Italian women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, aged 60-75. Markers linked to QoL were compared for these women with those of an average female Italian population (AFIP) of similar age. Concurrently, a 6-month exercise trial was conducted, in which the OP patients were divided into two groups: an exercise group (EG) and a control group (CG). The QoL was assessed for both groups at the end of the trial. Results A larger proportion of OP patients reported some problems with Mobility as compared to the AFIP (37.5% versus 31.2% respectively, p = 0.001) and in performing Usual Activities (45% versus 23.9%, p = 0.002). OP patients (77.5%) experienced some Pain/Discomfort, compared to 48.1% of the AFIP (p = 0.001). Anxiety/Depression was reported by 40% of OP patients and 18.8% of the AFIP (p = 0.001). Concerning the exercise trial, the results indicated a positive trend for Mobility and Usual Activities in the EG, while the CG markers remained unchanged. Conclusions Overall, results confirm that OP significantly affected QoL in postmenopausal women. In particular, OP negatively influenced the markers Mobility, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression. Exercise programs tailored to OP patients can improve some markers linked to QoL. Evidence suggests that health policy makers in Europe can consider including OP-adapted exercise programmes in guidelines for OP management. Key messages Osteoporosis negatively affects the quality of life for postmenopausal women. In particular, Mobility, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression markers were affected. Exercise can improve some markers linked to quality of life (Mobility and Usual Activities). Thus, it could be proposed as a treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.