THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES IN THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS AND THEIR IMPACT ON WOMEN’S QUALITY OF LIFE
Keywords:
osteoporosis, questionnaire, quality of life, therapyAbstract
Low bone mineral density (BMD) represents the most important risk factor for the development of osteoporosis (OP). The consequences of OP include fractures of the vertebrae, hip, and forearm, while hip fractures in older age are associated with increased mortality and poorer quality of life. The choice of therapy for the treatment of OP is based on the balance between risk, efficacy, and costs, but it can also be considered from the perspective of both prevention and treatment.
Objective: To determine whether the choice of therapy affects the quality of life of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Material and Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional clinical study conducted at the Department of Rheumatology of the University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska during 2023. Quality of life was assessed by calculating scores using the Qualeffo scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean values (M), standard deviations (SD), ranges, frequencies, percentages, and graphical distribution of results. Statistical data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 (IBM), and statistical significance was defined at p < 0.05.
Results: The study sample included 101 postmenopausal women with a confirmed diagnosis of osteoporosis. The average age at menopause onset was 51 years, while osteoporosis occurred on average around the age of 54. First-line medications for osteoporosis treatment were bisphosphonates; oral bisphosphonates were used by 32% of participants, while approximately 31% received parenteral therapy. The quality of life and the mean Total Quality Score (TQS) in the study was 34.98 ± 23.90. Statistically highly significant differences in quality of life were observed depending on the applied therapy, with participants receiving biological therapy and anabolic agents achieving the best results across all evaluated criteria, whereas the poorest results were observed among those receiving oral and parenteral intravenous therapy.
Conclusion: The selection of an adequate therapeutic modality plays an important role not only in disease prognosis and course but also in preserving functional capacity, improving quality of life, and reducing the risk of complications.
Recommendations: Continuous improvement and education of patients, as well as further research, contribute to the optimization of therapeutic and preventive strategies.
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