HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND INFLUENCING FACTORS IN OSTEOPOROSIS PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY BASED ON THE EQ-5D-3L SCALE IN CHINA

Bihui BAI, Xingwen XIE, Dingpeng LI, Demin LIN, Fei YAO

Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - 2026;72(2):226-234

Acupuncture and Tuina Rehabilitation Center, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China

 

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of osteoporosis (OP) patients and provide evidence for personalized health interventions. Patients and methods: This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2015 and August 2021. A total of 2,941 community residents were recruited, of whom 2,741 valid participants completed the survey. Analysis included 871 patients (143 males, 728 females; mean age: 62.48 +/- 7.94; range, 46 to 111 years) diagnosed with OP. Bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L scale. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, variance analyses, and one-way ANOVA, were performed. Results: Nearly 43.74% of patients reported health problems in at least one HRQoL dimension. Female patients had higher rates of issues in mobility, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Demographic factors significantly affected HRQoL: female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.608, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.106 - 2.340, p = 0.013), age <55 (OR = 0.509, 95% CI 0.316 - 0.820, p = 0.005), lower education (OR= 2.229, 95% CI 1.381 - 3.596, p = 0.001), and being married (OR = 0.627, 95% CI 0.439 - 0.894, p = 0.010). Lifestyle factors included sleep > 7h/day (OR = 0.224, 95% CI 0.082 - 0.610, p = 0.003) and smoking (OR = 0.676, 95% CI 0.487 - 0.939, p = 0.020). Fewer pregnancies (OR = 0.669, 95% CI 0.465-0.962, p = 0.030) and fewer live births (OR = 0.542, 95% CI 0.368-0.799, p = 0.002) were protective. Comorbidities reduced HRQoL: lumbar disc herniation (OR = 1.625), knee osteoarthritis (OR= 2.314), and rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 5.939). Conclusion: Osteoporosis significantly impacts HRQoL, particularly among females and individuals with lower educational levels. These findings highlight the need for targeted health interventions to enhance the quality of life and reduce the disease burden in OP patients.