The population-based prevalence of osteoporotic vertebral fracture and densitometric osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over 50 in Valencia, Spain (the FRAVO study).

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of vertebral fracture and densitometric osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over the age of 50 in Valencia, Spain. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2006-2007. An age-stratified population-based random sample of 824 postmenopausal women over the age of 50 answered a questionnaire and received a densitometric examination of the lumbar spine and hip with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and a lateral X-ray of the thoracic spine and lumbar regions. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score less than or equal to -2.5 compared to a population of young women, and the presence of vertebral fractures was classified according to Genant's semiquanti…