Magnitude and determinants of osteoporosis in adult population of South Sharqiya region of Oman.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of hip fractures as an indicator for osteoporosis in the >40 years old Omani population of the South Sharqiya region of Oman. We also recommended a policy for addressing osteoporosis in this community.

METHODS: Orthopedic surgeons noted and treated patients with hip fracture that were due to a fall over 5 years September 2002 to August 2007 at Sur Hospital, Oman. Their preoperative information, such as bone involved, co-morbidities, history of fractures, and the type of treatment were collected. We used the population of the study area to calculate the annual incidence of fractures.

RESULTS: In our study, 147 persons 70 male, and 77 female of >40 years with hip fractures were included. The age adjusted annual incidence rate of hip fracture in >40 population of South Sharqiya was 0.14%. While operating on 96 65.3% patients, we used dynamic hip screw. Hemi-arthroplasty with Austin-Moore prosthesis was performed in 37 (24.5%) patients. Eighteen (12.2%) patients had previous bone fractures.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hip fracture was high. Osteoporosis screening programs and adequate interventions could detect the high-risk group and prevent such fractures in the future.