Estimated prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Although osteoporosis is a major public health concern, limited and outdated research in Saudi Arabia highlights the need to investigate its current prevalence and risk factors among postmenopausal women in Jeddah. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Saudi Arabia and identify factors associated with bone mineral density (BMD). A total of 450 healthy postmenopausal women aged ≥50 years were randomly chosen to participate in this cross-sectional study. The study collected demographic information and performed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was 12.2% and 42.9%, respectively. Women with osteoporosis were older, had been menopausal for longer, and had a lower body mass index (BMI) than those with osteopenia or normal BMD (P < .001). Compared with those in the other 2 groups, women with osteoporosis also had fewer deliveries and a shorter breastfeeding duration (P = .01 and P = .003, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, BMI, and duration of lactation were independent predictors of lumbar spine BMD (P = .007, P = .001, and P = .01, respectively), whereas menopausal duration and BMI were independent predictors of femoral neck BMD (P = .008 and P = .001, respectively). Osteoporosis and osteopenia are prevalent among postmenopausal women in Saudi Arabia. Older age and longer menopausal duration were associated with lower BMD, whereas higher BMI and longer lactation duration were positively associated with BMD. Given the cross-sectional design, these associations should not be interpreted as causal. Early identification and appropriate assessment of postmenopausal women according to their clinical and demographic risk factors may help support osteoporosis prevention.