Background: Osteoporotic fracture is a significant public health concern in men. In a national survey, 6% of men were osteoporotic, and 47% were osteopenic (low bone mineral density, BMD) based on femoral neck BMD values. Osteoporosis, osteopenia, and fracture risk may be even higher in subsets of the population.
Methods: Femoral neck BMD was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in 495 men aged 50 years and older who participate in the Veterans Affairs Longitudinal Osteoporosis Research (VALOR) study. Forty-five percent (n=221) currently use the VA healthcare system and 55% (n=274) are veterans who receive medical care outside the VA. BMD was categorized using WHO guidelines: osteoporosis=BMD below -2.5 standard deviations (SD) of a young adult reference value, osteopenia=BMD between -2.5 and -1 SD, and normal=BMD above -1 SD.
Results: Overall, 5.9% of the men were classified as osteoporotic, 46.9% osteopenic, and 47.3% normal. The prevalence of osteoporosis differed by age and VA status. The percent of VA healthcare users with osteoporosis increased from 4.7% in men under age 65 to 11.5% in men aged 75+. In the non-VA group, osteoporosis increased from 0% in men under age 65 to 5.6% in the 75+ age group. The prevalence of osteopenia ranged from about 41% to 57% in both groups.
Conclusion: Osteoporosis is more common in older men who use the VA healthcare system than comparably aged men. Research on lifestyle and genetic differences between these two groups may yield insights into risk factors for osteoporosis in men.
Keywords: Veterans' Health, Hip Fractures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.