Objective: To see if black Jamaican postmenopausal women who had hysterectomy were at increased risk of osteoporosis.  To assess the risk of osteoporosis in hysterectomized Jamaican postmenopausal patients.

 

Method: We reviewed 809 women (403 hysterectomized and 406 controls) for cardiovascular disease risk.  We did a demographic history and examination looking at blood pressure, waist hip ratio and body mass index and investigations done included fasting blood glucose and total and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.  We also measured bone density at the heel in all women using the Achilles ultrasound bone densitometer looking at T-score and Z-score.

 

Results: There was a significant association of hysterectomy status and bone mineral density (BMD) status with a smaller than expected proportion of women with osteoporosis in the hysterectomy group (χ2 = 18.4; p = 0.001).  The mean T-score was significantly higher in the hysterectomized women, adjusting for age, waist circumference and sociodemographic factors.  The relationship between the various predictors and BMD was explored by stepwise regression modelling.  The factors that were significantly related to low BMD were hysterectomy status, age, waist circumference and being employed.

 

Conclusion: Hysterectomy was not found to be a significant risk factor for osteoporosis.  The osteoporosis risk among menopausal women in Jamaica appears to be due to other risk factors which probably existed prior to the operation.