Quality of life predictors among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis attending outpatient clinics at PSMMC, Riyadh: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) and identify its predictors among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis attending outpatient clinics at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 357 postmenopausal women with DXA confirmed osteoporosis. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Arabic-validated version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and a sociodemographic and clinical data form. Results: The overall QoL was moderate with the median overall QoL score (Q1) was 75.0 (IQR ≤ 25.0), and the median general health satisfaction score (Q2) was 75.0 (IQR ≤ 50.0). At the domain level, social relationships had the highest median score (75.0), and physical health had the lowest (50.0), reflecting the preferential physical burden of osteoporosis in this population. Women with a history of fragility fracture had significantly lower QoL in five of six domains (physical health, psychological, environment, overall QoL, and general health; all p < 0.001). Education was the strongest group-level predictor across all domains (H ≤ 47â€"146, all p < 0.001). Spearman correlations identified income as the strongest single correlate (r ≤ 0.704 with Environment, p < 0.001). Across all six regression models, age was the most consistent independent negative predictor (all p < 0.001), while education, income, lumbar spine T-score, and fracture history were the most consistent significant predictors. Conclusion: Overall, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at PSMMC reported a moderate global QoL. QoL was found to be shaped by a combination of modifiable socioeconomic factors and non-modifiable clinical factors.