Early detection of osteoporosis in a general practitioner's office

Introduction. Identifying certain risk factors for osteoporosis can greatly influence its occurrence, progression, and overall outcomes. Objective. Our research focused on osteoporosis and its risk factors in menopausal women attending a general practitioner's office. Method. The research was conducted at the Primary Healthcare Center in Lazarevac from September to December 2016. We collected data on risk factors for osteoporosis during regular visits to general practitioners (GPs) and also utilized medical records. Participants who had one or more risk factors were referred for bone mineral density (BMD) measurement using DEXA scans. Based on the BMD findings and the identified risk factors, some participants were referred to a rheumatologist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and statistical hypothesis testing methods in SPSS version 20. Results. A total of 58 postmenopausal women over the age of 45 participated in our research, with an average age of 65.62 years. The most common risk factors identified were early menopause (32.8%), cigarette smoking (31.0%), and the presence of chronic diseases (25.9%). Among the participants, 51.7% had one or two risk factors, while 22.4% had three or more. Additionally, 72.4% of the participants were referred for DEXA scans, and osteoporosis was diagnosed in 35.7% of them, leading to the initiation of treatment. Conclusion. Identifying individuals at risk for osteoporosis in a general practitioner's office can be done easily by looking for specific risk factors. Early health interventions can lead to effective prevention, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of the disease.