Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) and identify its predictors among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis attending outpatient clinics at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh.
Methods: This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 357 postmenopausal women with dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry confirmed osteoporosis. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Arabic-validated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire and a sociodemo graphic and clinical data form.
Results: The overall QoL was moderate, with a median overall QoL score (Q1) of 75.0 Interquartile Range (IQR= 25.0) and a median general health satisfaction score (Q2) of 75.0 (IQR = 50.0). At the domain level, social relationships had the highest median score (75.0), and physical health had the lowest (50.0), reflecting the preferential physical burden of osteoporosis in this population. Women with a history of fragility fracture had significantly lower QoL in five of the six domains (physical health, psychological, environment, overall QoL, and general health; all p < 0.001). Education was the strongest group-level predictor across all domains (H = 47–146, all p < 0.001). Spearman correlations identified income as the strongest single correlate (r = 0.704 with environment, p < 0.001). Across all six regression models, age was the most consistent independent negative predictor (all p < 0.001), while education, income, lumbar spine T-score, and fracture history were the most consistent significant predictors.
Conclusion: Overall, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at PSMMC reported a moderate global QoL. QoL was found to be shaped by a combination of modifiable socio-economic factors and non-modifiable clinical factors.

Key words: Osteoporosis, quality of life, WHOQOL-BREF, postmenopausal women, Saudi Arabia, PSMMC