Risk Factors in Patients with a Densitometric Diagnosis of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a chronic metabolic bone disease characterized by the pro-gressive loss of bone mineral density and microstructural deterioration, leading to an increased risk of fractures. It has a significant impact on public health, particularly af-fecting postmenopausal wo amen due to estrogen deficiency.Objective: To determine the frequency of risk factors associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis in women attending a Regional Hospital in Cancún, Mexico.Methods: A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the Regional General Hospital No. 17 of the IMSS in Cancún, Quintana Roo. A calculated sample of 311 women aged 45 to 60 years with a densitometric diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis was analyzed. Data were collected through questionnaires assessing demographic and clinical risk factors, followed by du-al-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the calcaneus to determine bone mineral density (BMD). Results: Most participants had completed secondary education (36.0%), and 77.8% were over 45 years old. The most prevalent risk factors were hypertension (34.3%), diabetes mellitus (31.2%), alcohol consumption (15.8%), smoking (14.5%), and systemic steroid use (9.1%). Only 28.2% reported engaging in regular exercise. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in mean age between women with osteoporosis (59.56 ± 10.60 years) and those without osteoporosis (49.88 ± 10.68 years; p < 0.001). Age was negatively correlated with T-score (r = -0.519, p < 0.01). Regression analysis identified age as the only significant independent factor (OR = 6.44; 95% CI: 2.23–18.60; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Age was confirmed as the main independent risk factor for osteoporosis in the studied population. Although other evaluated factors did not show statistical signif-icance, their clinical relevance justifies their consideration in preventive strategies to re-duce the risk of osteoporosis and associated fractures.