title: Measuring health-related quality of life in men with osteoporosis or osteoporotic fracture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a serious health problem that worsens the quality of life and the survival rate of individuals with this disease on account the osteoporotic fractures. Studies have long focused on women, and its presence in men has been underestimated. While many studies conducted in different countries mainly assess health-related quality of life and identify fracture risks factors in women, few data are available on a Spanish male population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men ≥ 40 years of age with/without diagnosed osteoporosis and with/without osteoporotic fracture included by their family doctor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relationship between customary clinical risk factors for osteoporotic fracture and health-related quality of life in a Spanish male population. A telephone questionnaire on health-related quality of life is made.
  
  
  METHODS
  The association between qualitative variables will be assessed by the Chi-square test. The distribution of quantitative variables by Student's t-test. If the conditions for using this test are not met, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney's U test will be used.The validation of the results obtained by the FRAX™ tool will be performed by way of the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and by calculating the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). All tests will be performed with a confidence intervals set at 95%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The applicability and usefulness of Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) studies are well documented in many countries. These studies allow implementing cost-effective measures in cases of a given disease and reducing the costly consequences derived therefrom. This study attempts to provide objective data on how quality of life is affected by the clinical aspects involved in osteoporosis in a Spanish male population and can be useful as well in cost utility analyses conducted by health authorities.The sample selected is not based on a high fracture risk group. Rather, it is composed of men in the general population, and accordingly comparisons should not lead to erroneous interpretations.A possible bias correction will be ensured by checking reported fractures against healthcare reports and X-rays, or by consulting health care centers as applicable.
authors: EAP Can Gibert del Plà- Girona-2 Health Centre, Catalan Health Institute, Carrer Sant Sebastià 50, 17005 Girona, Spain. mzwart.girona.ics@gencat.cat
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Zwart
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Azagra
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Encabo
authors: Amada
authors: A
authors: Aguye
authors: Genís
authors: G
authors: Roca
authors: Sílvia
authors: S
authors: Güell
authors: Núria
authors: N
authors: Puchol
authors: Emili
authors: E
authors: Gene
authors: Francesc
authors: F
authors: López-Expósito
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Solà
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Ortiz
authors: Pilar
authors: P
authors: Sancho
authors: Liz
authors: L
authors: Abado
authors: Milagros
authors: M
authors: Iglesias
authors: Jesus
authors: J
authors: Pujol-Salud
authors: Adolf
authors: A
authors: Diez-Perez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires