Low health related quality of life associated with fractures in obese postmenopausal women in Santa Maria, Brazil

Although health-related quality of life is well studied in subjects with obesity or fractures, there are few studies approaching both diseases together. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in obese postmenopausal women with fractures. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Santa Maria, Brazil. Postmenopausal women aged 55 years or older were recruited from March 1st to August 31st, 2013. Women with cognitive impairment were excluded. The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were applied (QM0 16,471). Height and weight were measured according to the World Health Organization protocol. Bone fractures (excluding hand, feet, and head) that occur after age 45 years were considered as the outcome. Of the 1057 women allocated to study, 975 had their weight and height measured. Obese women with fractures had significantly lower SF-36 physical component scores when compared with non-obese subjects with fracture, obese subjects without fractures, and non-obese non-fracture subjects. Both obesity and fractures were independently associated with a lower SF-36 physical component score in the regression model. In conclusion, fractures appear to have an adverse effect on quality of life which is more pronounced in obese postmenopausal women.