Background: People living in a nursing home are prone to osteoporosis due to high age, many different diseases, and decreased mobility. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis in a Swedish nursing home.
Material/methods: In this cross-sectional study of residents living in a nursing home, 35 persons (10 men and 25 women) with a mean age of 84 years (range: 76-97) for the men and 84 years (range: 58-95) for the women were examined. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in a sitting position performed on the heel to determine the T-score, Z-score, BMD, and thickness, as well as biochemical tests for s-calcium and s-parathyroid hormone were employed.
Results: Ninety-two per cent of the women and 70 per cent of the men had osteoporosis according to the WHO definition, i.e. a T-score of less than -2.5 standard deviations (SD) compared with a young female population. The remaining residents had osteopenia (T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 SD) and none had normal bone density. Two cases of suspected primary hyperparathyroidism were detected among the women.
Conclusions: The prevalence of osteoporosis in this nursing home was very high. It is conceivable that such a degree of osteoporosis is usual in corresponding nursing homes, which should be taken into consideration by prevention against future fragility fractures with available non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment.