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Low income may be a significant factor for osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fractures
Researchers of this cross-national study found socioeconomic status may be a significant factor related to osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
Researchers used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database from 2008 to 2012 to estimate the annual prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fractures in Korea. Researchers investigated socioeconomic differences among patients who were National Health Insurance (NHI) beneficiaries and Medical Aid (MA) recipients.
As of 2012, researchers noted 2,018,236 patients in Korea had osteoporosis and 243,054 had osteoporotic vertebral fractures. After adjusting for age and sex, the investigators found the standardized prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fractures was estimated to be 4,120 and 481, respectively, per 100,000 people. Researchers noted the rates of osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fractures were much higher among people with a low socioeconomic status, as MA recipients had a 3.83-times higher and a 4.78-times higher risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fractures, respectively. Researchers noted MA recipients were four-times more likely to have an osteoporotic vertebral fracture than NHI beneficiaries.
“[We] confirmed that the prevalence and incidence of [osteoporosis] OP and [osteoporotic vertebral fractures] OVF in the MA group were higher than those in the NHI group. Low income might be a significant factor related to OP and OVF. Therefore, we should pay more attention to low socioeconomic classes and should reduce their socioeconomic burdens. In addition, we should develop a strategy that includes prevention, activities for early detection and intervention, and rehabilitation,” researchers wrote in the study. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosures: Park reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.