Does the duration of postmenopausal osteoporosis affect quality of life and satisfaction?

Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic disease that affects all spheres of the patient's life. If it is diagnosed, lifelong treatment is required. The rational mental state of patients is necessary for the proper treatment of the disease. The aim of our study was to assess quality of life and satisfaction of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis depending on the duration of the disease.

In the period from June 2018 to May 2019, the women were examined in two osteoporosis treatment clinics in Lodz. The study was conducted among 198 women aged over 50 years with postmenopausal osteoporosis. For this purpose, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), QUALEFFO-41 and a self-authored questionnaire were used.

The mean age of the respondents was 72.3 ±8.59 years (range: 51-90 years), the mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.71 ±4.73 kg/m². The surveyed women assessed their quality of life as moderate and obtained, according to the QUALEFFO-41 scale, an average score of 40.26 ±16.92 points. The mean result of the level of satisfaction with life, assessed on the SWLS scale, was 19.37 ±7.31 points, which proves moderate satisfaction with life. By comparing the mean SWLS results depending on the duration of the disease, it was shown that the lowest level of life satisfaction was observed in women who had suffered from osteoporosis from 6 to 10 years. The quality of life deteriorated in women with a longer duration of the disease (p = 0.1213). Age, education and marital status had a statistically significant impact on the quality of life.

The quality of life significantly worsens with the duration of osteoporosis in the respondents. In the study group, we showed moderate satisfaction with life among the subjects. These results emphasize the need to introduce psychological care and educational programs that would focus on women aged over 50 years.