Prevalence, awareness, and treatment of osteoporosis among Korean women: The Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the factors associated with the prevalence, awareness, and treatment of osteoporosis in a representative sample of Korean women.MethodsData were obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement of the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck, and from a standardized questionnaire in 2870 Korean women aged 50 years and older who participated in the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2009. Osteoporosis was defined by World Health Organization T-score criteria, and awareness and treatment were defined by self-report of an osteoporosis diagnosis and self-report of current anti-osteoporotic medication use, respectively. We assessed the relationship between multiple risk factors and prevalence, awareness, and treatment.ResultsOsteoporosis was reported in 39.1% of Korean women. Among those with osteoporosis, only 37.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 23.5% received pharmacological treatment. Despite higher prevalence among respondents who were older, of lower body weight, calcium intake, physical activity, and education levels, the awareness and treatment rates of these groups were similar or lower than that of the low-risk controls in multivariate logistic regression models. Moreover, easily identifiable risk factors (e.g., history of fracture, falls, height loss, familial osteoporosis) were not associated with awareness and treatment. Participants who had undergone health screening in the previous 2 years exhibited increased awareness and treatment rates independently of other demographic factors.ConclusionsOsteoporosis was highly prevalent in this Korean study but was underdiagnosed and undertreated. Routine health screenings could be an effective strategy to increase osteoporosis awareness and treatment.

► Osteoporosis was highly prevalent in Korea, but underdiagnosed and undertreated.
► Higher osteoporotic prevalence rate within a particular group was not accompanied by higher rates of awareness and treatment.
► Routine health screenings could be an effective strategy to increase osteoporosis awareness and treatment.