Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2013) 32 P110 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.32.P110

1Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; 22nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, Hippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.


Introduction: Fear of illness and quality of life have been proven to be affected in women with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes an increase in morbidity and mortality but the direct ways by which it affects fear of illness and quality of life are not yet known. The present study aims to assess the fear of illness and quality of life (QoL) as well as their correlation with bone density and age in a Greek rural population of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: Sixty postmenopausal women, aged 50–85 years were studied. Bone mineral density (BMD) was estimated in all the women with the use of Achilles InSight – Bone Ultrasonometer. Every woman who had T-score <−2.5 completed a questionnaire for assessing health related quality of life in osteoporosis (ECOS-16). Higher scores in ECOS-16 indicate lower quality of life.

Results: Twenty-five women with a mean age 70±7 years had a T-score <−2.5. Older women had greater fear of their illness (P<0.05) with age being the only variable correlated with fear of illness (P<0.05). Women with lower T-scores had reduced quality of life (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The grade of osteoporosis can significantly influence the quality of life whereas fear of illness is also influenced in older postmenopausal women. Local health services should focus on prevention and treatment of osteoporosis as well as on the support and improvement of quality of life of women living with osteoporosis.

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