Prevalence of self-reported diagnosis of osteoporosis in Brazil, 2006

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported osteoporosis (with previous medical diagnosis) and the associated risk and protection factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out, based on data from the system Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL - telephone-based surveillance of risk and protective factors for chronic diseases). A total of 54,369 individuals aged >;18 years living in homes served by at least one fixed telephone line in Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District in 2006 were interviewed. Estimates of osteoporosis in relation to socioeconomic and behavioral factors and the body mass index were stratified according to sex. The risk of occurrence of osteoporosis was calculated for each variable separately and through a multivariate model, taking the odds ratio to be a proxy for the prevalence ratio. RESULTS: The reported prevalence of osteoporosis was 4.4%, predominantly among women (7.0%) >;45 years of age whose marital status was not single and who were former smokers. Among men, age >; 65 years, married or widowed status and sedentarism were positively associated with this outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Among the factors associated with osteoporosis, modifiable characteristics relating to disease prevention were highlighted, such as physical activity and smoking habits.