Abstract

Prevalence of Osteoporosis in Males: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Referral Center

Author(s): Imee Lynne C Esquibel*, Julie T Li-Yu

Background: Osteoporosis in men had been noted to cause significant morbidity and mortality-associated fractures. However, they are under diagnosed and under treated with limited studies up to date. Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis among males, their demographic profile as well as identify risk factors that contributed to their bone health. Methodology: A retrospective analytical study was conducted among male patients at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH). Age, Body Mass Index (BMI), comorbidities, tobacco smoking history, physical inactivity, medication intake, history of trauma or fractures, Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tools for Asians (OSTA) and FRAX scores were gathered and analyzed. Results: A total of 219 males who underwent DXA scan were included in the study where the majority are Filipinos (77.6%), with age ranges 22 to 92 years old and an average age of 64.58 years old SD 14.42 years. The average BMI score was 24.78 kg/m2 , where more than a third was overweight (33.3%) and a few were obese (11%). More than half were aged more than 70 years old (64.8%). The average BMD score was -1.65 ± 1.30 or osteopenia. There was 39.7% who have low bone mass or osteopenia, 26% have osteoporosis and 19.2% had severe osteoporosis. Among the risk factors, 9 patients had weight loss of more than 10% (30%), smokers (32%), had inadequate calcium intake (33.3%), 4.6% had a family history of osteoporosis and 21.5% have history of traumatic fractures. In terms of medications, 53% were on steroids, while 1.8% had androgen deprivation therapy. Among these risk factors, age, family history of osteoporosis and history of fracture showed significant differences. Conclusion: The prevalence of osteoporosis among men in this study is 26% with 95% confidence interval of (0.202, 0.318). Age and BMI were contradicting risk factors that had significant effect on osteoporosis. Age, history of fractures and family history of osteoporosis showed increase fracture risk.