Belitung Nursing Journal
Vol. 12 No. 5 (2026): September - October

Common characteristics among patients with secondary osteoporosis in Oman: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study

Nasser Al-Salmi (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Abdulrahman Al-Belushi (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Anas Al-Jahdhami (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Dalal Al-Dhahli (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Ghania Al-Ghafri (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Jabeer Al-Khanbashi (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Jokha Salim Al-Jahwari (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Eilean Rathinasamy Lazarus (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)
Joshua Kanaabi Muliira (College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, Oman)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Oct 2026

Abstract

Background: Secondary osteoporosis is common but remains understudied in various contexts. In Oman, public awareness of osteoporosis and its risk factors is low, and to date, few studies have specifically addressed secondary osteoporosis, despite its implications for healthcare costs, quality of life, health promotion, and well-being. Objective: To identify the common characteristics of patients with secondary osteoporosis in Oman to guide patient education and interventions for health promotion. Methods: This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study analyzed data of patients diagnosed with secondary osteoporosis at a national referral center in Oman in February 2025. In a database of 500 patients, 112 eligible cases were included, and all met the inclusion criteria. The extracted data included demographic and lifestyle factors, laboratory results, and medical history pertinent to osteoporosis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age was 39.44 ± 7.50 years, and many participants reported regular physical activity and chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (17%), chronic kidney disease (14.3%), diabetes mellitus (13.4%), inflammatory bowel diseases (8.9%), and cancer (8%), among others. The commonly taken medications linked to osteoporosis were proton pump inhibitors (41%), glucocorticoids (35.7%), and thyroid hormones (12.5%). After the diagnosis of secondary osteoporosis, patients had a recorded diagnosis of chronic pain (75%), fractures (26.8%), and depression (17%). Follow-up bone mass density testing indicated low lumbar, hip, and femoral z-scores in patients with a history of cancer, chemotherapy, smokers, and thyroid hormone therapy. Conclusion: Chronic diseases were common among patients with secondary osteoporosis. Thus, patients with non-communicable diseases need comprehensive risk assessment, routine screening, and health promotion to enhance bone health maintenance. Nurses can play a critical role in providing patient education and guidance to promote bone health.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bnj

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

BNJ contributes to the advancement of evidence-based nursing, midwifery and healthcare by disseminating high quality research and scholarship of contemporary relevance and with potential to advance knowledge for practice, education, management or policy. BNJ welcomes submissions of evidence-based ...