The prevalence of osteoporosis and associated factors among health care professionals.

Osteoporosis is a growing health problem recognized in both developed and developing countries. It is associated with substantial morbidity and socio-economic burden worldwide. Thirty to fifty percent of women and 15%–30% of men suffer from osteoporosis-related fractures in their lifetime. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis among the employees of Pravara Medical Trust, Loni, Maharashtra, India. Bone mineral density (bone mass) was assessed by speed of sound using a Quantitative Ultrasound device (CM-100; ELK Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) at the calcaneum. Based on World Health Organization’s guidelines, T-score (ratio between patients Bone Mineral Density and that of young adult population of same sex and ethnicity) of > -1 was taken as normal, between -1 to -2.5 osteopenic and < -2.5 as osteoporotic. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis was 28.03% while osteopenia was evident in 31.06% of study subjects. Significant association of osteoporosis was evident with risk factors like chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease etc.), lack of exercise, alcoholism/smoking and positive family history.