Aim: To study and assess the risk factors for fractures in the osteoporotic Egyptian patients older than 40 years.
Methods: Forty eight persons (> 40 years old) were included. They were underwent complete clinical evaluation and laboratory analyses of serum calcium (Ca) and vitamin D (Vit. D) levels, with assessment of the bone mineral density (BMD) using the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scanner (DEXA). They were divided into two groups: a patients' group including 27 osteoporotic patients having fractures and a control group including 21 osteoporotic cases without fractures.
Results: The percentage of females was higher in both groups (74.1% and 61.9%. p=0.36).The mean age was significantly higher in the patients' group (mean ± SD 62.11 ± 6.6 vs53.48 ±6.7 years), while the mean height was significantly lower (p < 0.05). The weight and body mass index (BMI) were comparable between both groups (p>0.05). About 70.4% of osteoporotic patients had their fractures from minor traumas; meanwhile the control had no fractures even with minor or moderate traumas. The T-score, Z-score and the BMD were significantly lower in the patients (p < 0.05). In addition, Vit. D and Ca levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). A positive family history of fractures was significantly higher in the patients (p=0.013), while no other risk factor was significantly different between both groups.
Conclusion: An advanced age, a short stature, a positive family history, traumas, and low Vit. D and Ca levels are major risk factors associated with a low BMD and osteoporotic fractures in the adult Egyptian population.