Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Associated Factors Among Older Adults: Findings from the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing

Background: Osteoporosis is a common and clinically important condition in older adults. This study aimed to determine its prevalence and associated factors among older adults in Neyshabur, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing (NeLSA). Of 7,462 participants, 7,217 with available osteoporosis status were included. Demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, clinical, functional, and psychological characteristics were assessed using standardized questionnaires and clinical measurements. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with osteoporosis.
Results: Osteoporosis was identified in 885 participants (12.30%); 89.80% were women. Participants with osteoporosis differed from those without osteoporosis in lifestyle, sleep, depression, cognition, and handgrip strength. In logistic regression, sex, age, hypertension, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and handgrip strength were significantly associated with osteoporosis. Men had lower odds than women (OR = 0.16). Each one-year increase in age increased the odds by 3% (OR = 1.03). Hypertension was associated with higher odds (OR = 1.29). Each one-unit increase in PSQI and depression scores increased odds by 6% and 4%, respectively. Greater handgrip strength was associated with lower odds (OR = 0.98).
Conclusion: Osteoporosis was significantly associated with female sex, older age, hypertension, poorer sleep quality, greater depressive symptoms, and lower handgrip strength. These findings highlight the importance of considering demographic characteristics, chronic diseases, psychological status, and functional indicators concurrently when identifying older adults at increased risk of osteoporosis. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, these associations should not be interpreted as causal relationships.