Awareness of Osteoporosis and its Related Factors After Distal Radius Fractures in Patients Aged 45 Years and Older

Objective: Osteoporosis is an important health problem with regard to morbidity, mortality, and negative effects on quality of life as well as health-related costs. Distal radius fracture is one of the most frequent fractures and it has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of further fractures. Awareness and treatment of osteoporosis is important to prevent further fractures in patients with osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of osteoporosis and related factors in distal radius fracture patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 low-energy distal radius fracture patients aged 45 years and over were included in the study. A questionnaire was applied in all patients after they gave their consent.Results: In our patients 40.8% had awareness about osteoporosis, and 59.2% did not. About the educational levels 47.5% of patients were not able to read and write or were primary school graduates, 52.5% were secondary or high school graduates. Awareness of osteoporosis was positively correlated with education. With regard to sources of information, 50% of patients reported physicians as the main source of information.Conclusion: We demonstrated that the level of awareness of osteoporosis is associated with educational level in distal radius fracture patients. Awareness of osteoporosis and thus to begin treatment earlier is important to prevent further fractures in distal radius fracture patients. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2013;59:52-6.