Prevalence of Osteoporosis and the Role of Testosterone and Vitamin D Deficiency in Elderly Men: A Cross-Sectional Study
Introduction Osteoporosis is a common, but often underdiagnosed, condition in elderly males, characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD), which leads to an increased risk of fractures. This study aims to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in elderly men and investigate the association between osteoporosis, serum testosterone, and vitamin D levels. Methodology This cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care centre during a period of two years (2019-2020). The study recruited 370 elderly male patients who were aged 60 years old or older. Patients had clinical examination with detailed medical history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations for measurement of serum total testosterone and vitamin D. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DEXA scans, and subjects were classified according to their T-scores as having osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal BMD. The relationship of T with VitD deficiency and osteoporosis was considered. Results The prevalence of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal BMD was 39.5%, 48.3%, and 12.2%, respectively. Low testosterone level was significantly associated with osteoporosis, and 47.5% of patients with low testosterone (<3 ng/ml) were osteoporotic (P = 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was high and 50.6% of participants were having D level less than 20 ng/ml. Prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in participants with vitamin D deficiency in comparison to those without (p-value = 0.03). The findings suggest that having the right amounts of testosterone and vitamin D are important for maximum bone health. Conclusion Osteoporosis and osteopenia are prevalent in a high proportion of elderly males, and deficiency in serum testosterone and vitamin D are significant risk factors. The early detection of those deficiencies and further management, replacement therapy of testosterone, and supplementation of vitamin D, could be used to prevent the oncoming of osteoporosis and related fractures. The results of this study underscore the importance of implementing standing programs and assessments designed to maintain bone health and thus also reduce the burden fracture-related osteoporosis has on elderly males by enhancing their quality of life.