PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN ELBASAN REGION, ALBANIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The information on the size and determinants of osteoporosis in population-based studies from Albania is scarce. The aim of this study was do assess the prevalence and correlates of osteoporosis in Elbasan, which constitutes one of the biggest regions in Albania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Elbasan prefecture in 2013. A representative sample of 983 primary health care users aged 50 years and over was included (57% females, 43% males; overall response rate: 98%). B one densitometry was used to establish the presence of osteoporosis among study participants. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess the association of osteoporosis with covariates. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of osteoporosis in this sample was 59% (N=579). There was evidence of a positive association of osteoporosis with female gender (OR=12.8, 95%CI=9.4-17.4), older age (OR=2.0, 95%CI=1.5-2.6), heredity (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.3-2.3), a low-calcium dietary pattern (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.3-2.2), physical inactivity (OR=1.8, 95%CI=1.3-2.4) and a lower body mass (OR=1.8, 95%CI=1.2-2.7). CONCLUSION: Our study provides useful evidence about the prevalence and correlates of osteoporosis in Elbasan region. Female sex, older age, a positive family history of osteoporosis, a dietary pattern low in calcium, physical inactivity and a lower body mass were all positively and significantly associated with osteoporosis in this study population. Keywords: Albania, bone densitometry, Elbasan, fractures, osteoporosis.