The relationship between fracture and quality of life in Korean adults receiving treatment for osteoporosis based on the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fracture and quality of life in Korean adults receiving treatment for osteoporosis based on the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS). [Subjects and Methods] This study utilized the raw data of the 2010 KCHS. In the survey, osteoporosis was assessed in 228,903 subjects, excluding 326 for whom there was insufficient data. There were 17,387 subjects with osteoporosis confirmed by a doctor’s diagnosis and 9,419 of them were being treated for osteoporosis at the time of the survey. [Results] Among the patients being treated, those with fractures had a significantly lower QOL than patients who did not experience fractures. The lower QOL scores were caused by hip, vertebral and wrist fractures, and in all cases, QOL was significantly lower. Greater numbers of fractures significantly lowered QOL scores compared to participants without fractures. [Conclusion] Fractures in patients receiving treatment for osteoporosis have a direct impact on QOL. Among the different types of fractures, hip fractures resulted in the lowest scores. Therefore, to avoid additional fractures caused by inappropriate management of osteoporosis, we suggest that there is a need to improve fall related self-efficacy and prevention programs.