Family Structure and Osteoporosis Treatment Rates in Middle-Aged and Older Postmenopausal Women

This study examined differences in osteoporosis treatment rates by family structure among postmenopausal women aged ≥50 years and identified factors influencing treatment participation. Using data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 712 women with osteoporosis (DXA T-score ≤ –2.5) were classified into one-person, couple-only, and co-residing-with-children households and analyzed using complex-sample χ²-tests and logistic regression. Treatment rates differed by family structure: lower participation was linked to anxiety/depression, physical inactivity, and fracture history in one-person households; sleep problems, pain, and depressive symptoms were associated with higher treatment rates in couple-only households; and underweight status and sleep problems promoted participation in households living with children. Across all groups, women aged ≥70 years and those with economic vulnerability consistently showed lower treatment rates, indicating the need for family-structure–based interventions and community strategies prioritizing one-person households, the very old, and economically disadvantaged women.