Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2006 , Vol 9, Issue 1
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING ON THE POPULATION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN THE REST HOME
GATA Haydarpaşa Eğitim Hastanesi İç Hastalıkları Servisi İSTANBUL Introduction: In the population of elderly people, there is a tendency for osteoporosis due to comorbid diseases, inadequate nourishment or drugs used. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalance of osteoporosis and fracture in the patients living in a private rest home.

Material and Method: 68 elderly people (21 men, 47 women) living in Unal rest homes (Istanbul, 3 Centre) were included in the study. To measure the bone mineral density, DXL-Calscan machine comprising dual X- ray absorbtiometri and laser measurement technics was used. Likewise the description of World Health Organisation, T-score of <-2,5 was accepted as osteoporosis.

Results: Mean age is 73 (60-93) in males and 75 (60-91) in females. Osteoporosis was found 31 (%66) of females and 5 (%23) of males and osteopenia was found 12 (%25) of females and 2 (%9) of males. The total percentage of osteoporosis and osteopenia was %91 in females and %32 in males. Mean T-score was 0,23 (-3,3 ± 6,9) in males and -3,14 (-5,8 ± 2,7) in females. Body mass index was 24,7 (17-38) in females and 24,6 (19-28) in males. In 5 (%7,3) of this elderly population, non-spinal fragility fracture occured during the one year period.

Conclusion: The osteoporosis prevalance is as high in rest homes as in general geriatric population. But the fragility fracture rate is not so high as it might be expected. Rest homes seem to be safe in terms of fructures caused by osteoporosis. However, to increase the preventive practices aiming at risk factors and to facilitate and to support the daily living conditions to prevent fractures may still contribute to decrease the rate of fracture. Prospective studies are needed on this issue. Keywords : Osteoporosis, DXL-Calscan, Fracture