Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2012 , Vol 58 , Num 4

Musculoskeletal Pain in Elderly Patients with Osteoporosis: A Multicenter Study

Yeşim Gökçe Kutsal 1 ,Oya Özdemir 1 ,Sevilay Karahan 2 ,Yeşim Akyol 3 ,Pınar Borman 4 ,Asuman Doğan 5 ,Sibel Eyigör 6 ,Rengin Güzel 7 ,Özgür Ortancıl 8 ,Serpil Savaş 9 ,Kazım Şenel 10 ,Ayşe Dicle Turhanoğlu 11 ,İlker Yağcı 12
1 Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
2 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
3 Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Biyoistatistik Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
4 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
5 Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
6 Ankara Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
7 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
8 Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Adana, Türkiye
9 Karaelmas Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Zonguldak, Türkiye
10 Department of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey
11 Atatürk Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Erzurum
12 Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Hatay, Türkiye
13 Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye
DOI : 10.4274/tftr.04706

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the ones with osteoporosis (OP) in elderly patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints and to evaluate the distribution of region of pain and the medications used for the musculoskeletal disease(s) in these patients.

 

Materials and Methods: 1141 elderly patients who were consecutively admitted to the outpatient clinics in nine different provinces were screened for the diagnosis of OP. Age, gender, complaints, diagnosis and current medications related to musculoskeletal system disorder(s) were recorded.

 

Results: 382 elderly (341 female, 41 male) with a mean age of 71.9±5.3 years had the diagnosis of OP. Low (54.5%) and upper back (39.6%) pain were the most common complaints in both sexes. These were followed by knee, hip, cervical and shoulder pain, respectively. Osteoarthritis (36%), lumbar (21%) and cervical spondylosis/stenosis (10%) were the most common musculoskeletal diseases accompanying OP. The mean number of drugs used was 3.0±1.2. The most commonly prescribed anti-osteoporotic agents were bisphosphonates (59%). For the musculoskeletal pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (systemic and/or topical) were used in 46.6% and paracetamol in 24.6% of patients.

 

Conclusion: It is crucial to perform a thorough physical examination to reveal the underlying cause of back pain in elderly osteoporotic patients. Besides, in order to minimize polypharmacy, it should be kept in mind that non-pharmacological approaches can be used for the management of musculoskeletal diseases. 

Keywords : Osteoporosis; musculoskeletal diseases; pain; elderly