Background:

Osteoporosis is a public health problem worldwide, affecting more than 200 million people. It is estimated that 30 to 50% of postmenopausal women suffer from it. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in the density and quality of bones. The objective of this work was to know the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in healthy active workers.

Methods:

Retrospective, observational study with active male and female workers in whom bone mineral density was evaluated by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip and spine. The evaluation time was from June 2009 to June 2010.

Results:

A total of 1,431 patients were recruited: 258 (18%) men and 1,173 (82%) women. According to the international parameters, the diagnoses of the central densitometries were, overall: 572 normal subjects (40%), 601 (42%) with osteopenia and 258 (18%) with osteoporosis.

Discussion:

The results show that degenerative alterations in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia are frequent, even among young people.