Self-reported prevalence and correlates of osteoporosis: results from a representative study in Israel.

The aim of the present study was to determine self-reported prevalence of osteoporosis and its correlates in a representative sample of Jewish elderly persons aged 60 and older in Israel. Participants included 3022 Jewish community-dwelling men and women who provided information about themselves. Information was collected during home interviews regarding self-reported osteoporosis, health-related information, health behaviors and psychological measures. Osteoporosis self-reported prevalence rate was 7% for men and 25% for women. A history of fracture, joint pain and back pain, and psychological distress were the most important independent predictors in both men and women. Findings of the present study showed that also when based on self-reported measures, osteoporosis is a significant public health problem. Special attention should be paid to those who report themselves as suffering from the disease, but are not involved in health-related behaviors.