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A multi-dimensional questionnaire quantifying quality of life in elderly osteoporotic women: the Italian Triple-Q Osteoporosis Study

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Abstract

Background and aims: In advanced age, the influence of vertebral fractures on quality of life extends well beyond the usual sequelae of osteoporosis. In order to intercept older subjects’ distress associated with the clinical, functional, social and psychological consequences of the disease, we developed and validated a multidimensional instrument (the triple-Q questionnaire) tailored to older women with osteoporotic fractures. We also examined specific aspects of the questionnaire correlated with bone mineral density. Methods: 100 osteoporotic women with vertebral fractures and 100 controls aged >65 years, underwent a thorough examination, which also included X-ray of the thoraco-lumbar spine, hip densitometry, the triple-Q questionnaire, and five referral instruments evaluating function, cognition, perception of general health, mood and pain. Results: The questionnaire was repeatable and able to discriminate between older women with and without vertebral fractures. There was a strong association between referral instrument scores and the corresponding single domain score of the questionnaire. Femoral BMD was also associated with scores indicating fear of falling, fear of fracture, and pain. Conclusions: The questionnaire intercepted the influence of osteoporosis on the quality of life of elderly women with vertebral fractures. Subjects who suffered from severe pain and were more fearful of falling were most likely to be severely osteoporotic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Ospedale Santa Maria Misericordiae, University of Perugia Medical School, S. Sisto Perugia, Italy

    Dario Maggio MD, Carmelinda Ruggiero, Sara Ercolani, Maria Carmela Macchiarulo, Nicola Palmari, Filippo Luccioli, Sonia Andreani, Angela Mariani, Emanuela Costanzi, Antonio Cherubini, Maurizio Luchetti & Elena Zampi

  2. Rheumatology, La Colletta Hospital, Arenzano, Italy

    Giuseppe Girasole & Gerolamo Bianchi

  3. Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, University of Verona, Italy

    Maurizio Rossini

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Italy

    Chiara Cepollaro

  5. Clinica Medica 1a, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy

    Leonardo Sartori

  6. Department of Clinical Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy

    Salvatore Minisola

  7. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Siena, Italy

    Stefano Gonnelli

Authors
  1. Dario Maggio MD
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  2. Carmelinda Ruggiero
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  3. Sara Ercolani
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  4. Maria Carmela Macchiarulo
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  5. Nicola Palmari
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  6. Filippo Luccioli
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  7. Sonia Andreani
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  8. Angela Mariani
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  9. Emanuela Costanzi
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  10. Antonio Cherubini
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  11. Maurizio Luchetti
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  12. Elena Zampi
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  13. Giuseppe Girasole
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  14. Gerolamo Bianchi
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  15. Maurizio Rossini
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  16. Chiara Cepollaro
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  17. Leonardo Sartori
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  18. Salvatore Minisola
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  19. Stefano Gonnelli
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Correspondence to Dario Maggio MD.

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Maggio, D., Ruggiero, C., Ercolani, S. et al. A multi-dimensional questionnaire quantifying quality of life in elderly osteoporotic women: the Italian Triple-Q Osteoporosis Study. Aging Clin Exp Res 22, 330–339 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324937

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324937

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