Risk factors for hip fracture

Article Abstract:

A 1995 study followed 9,516 white women 65 years old or older and found that those who were underweight and physically inactive were more likely to fracture their hip. A family history of hip fracture, benzodiazepine use and poor vision were also linked to hip fracture. Women who had five or more risk factors and low bone mass were more likely to fracture their hip. A regular walking program is a cheap and safe way to increase bone mass. Many home improvements can reduce an elderly person's risk of falling, which is a major cause of hip fractures. These include eliminating loose rugs and installing stairway railings. The use of calcium supplements is questionable, since the study found no association between low dietary calcium and hip fractures. In addition, women who had relatively high bone density also experienced hip fractures, so the risk factors may be indicative of other physiological processes that place women at risk.

Author: Cooper, Cyrus, Barker, David J.P.
Editorial

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Endogenous hormones and the risk of hip and vertebral fractures among older women

Article Abstract:

Postmenopausal women with undetectable blood levels of estrogen may have an increased risk of hip and spinal fractures. This was the conclusion of a study which found that women with blood estrogen levels so low as to be undetectable were 2.5 times more likely to fracture their hip or spine as women with detectable estrogen levels. Women with low blood levels of vitamin D were also more likely to fracture their hip but not their spine. These results indicate that postmenopausal women could take very low doses of estrogen without increasing their risk of breast or endometrial cancer.

Author: Cummings, Steven R., Browner, Warren S., Ensrud, Kristine, Ettinger, Bruce, Stone, Katie, Bauer, Douglas, Jamal, Sophie
Health aspects, Estrogen, Estrogens

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Risk of New Vertebral Fracture in the Year Following a Fracture

Article Abstract:

Women who develop a fracture in their spine are more likely to develop additional fractures. In a study of 2,725 women participating in research on osteoporosis, 7% developed a spinal fracture within the first year of the study. These women were five times more likely to develop additional spinal ffactures than women who did not have a spinal fracture.

Author: Cooper, Cyrus, Seeman, Ego, Lindsay, Robert, Silverman, Stuart L., Hanley, David A., Barton, Ian, Broy, Susan B., Licata, Angelo, Benhamou, Laurent, Geusens, Piet, Flowers, Kirsten, Stracke, Hilmar
Osteoporosis, Complications

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Subjects list: Risk factors, Fractures (Injuries), Fractures, Hip joint, Hip fractures, Vertebrae, Spinal fractures
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