Factors associated with osteoporosis among a sample of Jordanian women referred for investigation for osteoporosis

This cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the association between osteoporosis and specific risk factors among 384 women referred to the Radiology Department at King Abdullah University Hospital, Irbid, Jordan during the period September 2009–August 2010 for diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Bone mineral density measurements were carried out using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at both the lumbar spine [AP: L1–L4] and femoral hip (neck, trochanter). Studied risk factors included age, age at menarche, menopause, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal problems and smoking. The prevalence of osteoporosis among the studied sample was 13.5%. Osteoporosis was significantly associated with current age, age at menarche, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and renal problems.