Osteoporosis Presenting as Low Backache: An Entity not Uncommon to be Missed

Low backache (LBA) is highly prevalent in osteoporotic patients and affects their quality of life. Overall, osteoporosis incidence is greater in females than in males, and osteoporotic fractures typically occur with only modest or moderate trauma.

To evaluate osteoporosis as a cause of LBA in patients attending a neurosurgical outpatient department and to study various risk factors associated with it.

The study entitled "Osteoporosis presenting as LBA: An entity not uncommon to be missed" was a 2-year hospital-based study conducted from August 2014 to July 2016 in a prospective manner and included 100 patients of osteoporosis with LBA. Analysis of records included their chief complaints, signs and symptoms, diagnostic investigations performed, treatment modalities they underwent, and further recommended management carried on them.

Out of total 100 patients evaluated, 33 (33%) were male and 67 (67%) were female; the age of patients was in the range of 35-70 years (mean 56.54 ± 91). The number of patients with a significant medical or surgical history was 31 (31%). The history of drug intake such as thyroxine, steroids, and antiepileptics was present in a total of 11 patients out of which 10 were female and one was male. Regarding lifestyle characteristics of studied patients, a total number of 72 (72%) were having sedentary habits with 15 (45.5%) males and 57 (85.1) females, the total number of moderate workers was 19 (27.3) males and 10 (14.9%) females, and heavy workers were 9 (9%) with 9 (27.3) males and 0 (0%) female.

LBA is highly prevalent in osteoporotic patients especially in women. The incidence of osteoporosis and LBA increased with low body mass index, increasing age, and duration of menopause. The various risk factors for osteoporosis include smoking, history of medical diseases such as diabetes mellitus, history of hysterectomy, and history of antiepileptic, thyroxine, and steroid intake.