[Effect of vertebral fracture on health related quality of life in a Spanish population older than 54 years].
BACKGROUND
Effect of vertebral fracture on the perceived health using the SF-36 Health Questionnaire in a representative population older than 54 years.


METHODS
Randomly cohort from the register of the city Hall of Oviedo. All the 299 subjects (147 men and 152 women) completed the traduced and validated Spanish SF-36 questionnaire four years after radiologic studies were performed to evaluate prevalent vertebral fractures.


RESULTS
Vertebral fracture decreased the health related quality of life, particularly in physical function dimension in males and in mental health dimension in women. This effect was increased when osteopenia was present.


CONCLUSIONS
This first study performed in both sexes shows worse perceived health in people with fractures.
Naves Díaz
M
M
Servicio de Metabolismo Oseo y Mineral. Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación. Hospital Central de Asturias. Oviedo.
Díaz López
J B
JB
Rodríguez  Rebollar
A
A
Gómez Alonso
C
C
Díaz Corte
C
C
Cannata Andía
J
J
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology