What Causes Osteoporosis in Greek Men?

Although osteoporosis is much more common in women, it is still a significant health problem in men, too. But in the adult Greek male population, data concerning risk factors for fractures and low bone mineral density (BMD)—including in the spine and hip—are lacking.
In a study, researchers from Greece sought to determine the factors that are associated with BMD exclusively in Greek men.

The results of their study were published in the paper “Risk factors for osteoporosis in Greek male population.” The paper was presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research.

This cross-sectional study included a total of 1,084 men from 92 different sites all over Greece. The men were between 50 and 93 years old.

Researchers collected demographic, medical, family history, and lifestyle information from the study participants through interviews and physical examinations, and they gathered anthropometric data by examination.

Both spine and hip BMD were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The research team also performed univariate, multivariate, and logistic regression analyses.

They found that the prevalence of osteoporosis in the study participants was 48.1% and the prevalence of osteopenia in study participants was 27.9%.

It was noted that several nutritional factors, lifestyle characteristics, and medical conditions were directly associated with BMD. For example, the multiple regression analysis found that age, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a family history of osteoporosis were independently associated with osteoporosis status. But on the other hand, body mass index and maintaining an exercise routine until the men were 30 years old were associated with a higher BMD.

At the end of the study, researchers determined that aging, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a family history of osteoporosis are the chief risks factors that are directly linked to developing osteoporosis in an adult Greek male population.