The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Bone Mineral Density in the Population of the Abay Region of Kazakhstan

TL;DR

This study found that nearly a third of adults in Kazakhstan's Abay region have low bone density, with age and fracture history increasing the risk while higher BMI and nut consumption help protect bones.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into osteoporosis prevalence and risk factors specific to the Kazakh population in the Abay region.

Findings

34.1% of the population had low bone mass, with 48.3% in those over 50 years old.

Age and fracture history increased the risk of low bone density.

Higher BMI and nut consumption were protective against bone demineralization.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is considered a serious public health problem that particularly affects the postmenopausal period. In 2018, in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the prevalence of osteoporosis was 10.0, and the incidence was 3.7 new cases, per 100,000 adults, respectively. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and indicate the main factors affecting low bone mineral density by screening the adult population of the Abay region, Kazakhstan. The target group comprised 641 respondents aged between 18 and 65 years old, from a Kazakh population, who had been living in the Abay region since birth. All participants filled out a questionnaire and were subjected to a bone mineral density measurement by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) between 15 July 2023 and 29 February 2024. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between low bone mineral density and key demographic characteristics, such as lifestyle factors and nutritional habits. We identified the prevalence of low bone mass (osteopenia) and osteoporosis to be 34.1%, with the highest prevalence of 48.3% being found in the older population group (50+ years). The regression analysis revealed a number of indicators associated with the likelihood of bone sparing. However, only four of these showed significance in the final multivariate model (R2 = 22.4%). These were age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.05) and fracture history (AOR 1.64) directly associated with the likelihood of low bone density. Meanwhile, the body mass index (AOR 0.92) and the consumption of nuts and dried fruits (AOR 0.48) reduced the chance of bone tissue demineralization. Additional studies examining the prevalence and any emerging risk factors for osteoporosis are needed to advance clinical epidemiological knowledge and implement public health programs.

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