THE INFLUENCE OF POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS AND SUBCLINICAL VERTEBRAL FRACTURES ON POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN’S QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the influence of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and subclinical vertebral fractures (SVF) on the quality of life of women in postmenopause. Materials and methods: This study was carried out in 508 postmenopausal women aged 37-88 years, a median – 63 years [57; 70], who were divided into 3 groups depending on bone mineral density (BMD) level: PMO (n=362), osteopenia (n=78) and normal BMD (n=68). The quality of life was assessed by using the questionnaire of the European Osteoporosis Foundation – QUALEFFO-41 with 41 questions in the following seven domains: А – а pain, B – activities of daily living, C – jobs around the house, D – mobility, E – leisure, social activities, F – general health perception, G – mental functions, and total QUALEFFO score as well, where the highest score corresponded to the lowest quality of life. Results: The quality of life in patients with PMO for domain С was worse (p<0.05) as compared to that in groups “normal BMD” and “normal BMD + osteopenia”; for domain G – as compared to that of groups “osteopenia” and “normal BMD + osteopenia”; and for domain D and total QUALEFFO score – as compared to that in the group “normal BMD + osteopenia”. A positive correlation (p<0.05) was found between the total number of SVF and the number of SVF in lumbar spine, and scores for domains А-E and total score of QUALEFFO-41 questionnaire. A statistically significant decrease of the quality of life (p<0.05) was noted in PMO patients who had at least one SVF as compared to women without SVF for domains А-E and a total QUALEFFO score. Conclusion: PMO and SVF are associated with a decrease of the quality of life in postmenopausal women. Due to a high diagnostic value of QUALEFFO-41 questionnaire, its validation is necessary in Russian Federation.