FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OSTEOPOROSIS IN OLDER ADULTS AT A REFERRAL CENTER

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis among elderly individuals receiving treatment at a designated reference center and to identify associated factors. The research employed a cross-sectional, analytical design, involving the collection of data from medical records and interviews with elderly individuals undergoing treatment at the Reference Center for Health Care for the Elderly (CRASI), specifically those who underwent bone densitometry examinations in the years 2017 and 2018.  Bivariate analysis was conducted to explore the association between osteoporosis and various group characteristics, including sociodemographic profile, Body Mass Index (BMI), lifestyle habits, care, and health conditions. Variables showing an association up to a significance level of 20% (p  ≤ .20) were collectively evaluated through Poisson multiple regression with a robust estimator. Only variables demonstrating a significance level of up to 5% were admitted to the final model. The prevalence of osteoporosis was found to be 48.5%. In the final model, the following variables were identified as being associated: female sex (RP = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.36 - 2.60), age over 80 years old (RP = 1.55; 95%CI: 1.29 - 1.85), BMI less than 22 (RP = 1.23; 95%CI: 1.02 - 1.49), and as a protective factor, BMI above 27 (RP = .52; 95%CI: .41 - .67). In conclusion, a high prevalence of osteoporosis was observed, with associations identified between osteoporosis and modifiable factors such as low weight, as well as non-modifiable factors including sex and age. No significant associations were discerned with variables related to lifestyle habits.