Study finds link between osteoporosis, fracture

Aug 18 2010

An international study of more than 60,000 women has drawn new light on the relationship between osteoporosis and fractures.

Scientists call for more to be done to identify and treat patients at the highest risk of fractures.

Osteoporosis is more common in women who have fractured bones when they were younger - and they experience a similar loss in health-related quality of life as those with arthritis, lung disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

In an international study, led in the UK by scientists from the universities of Southampton and Cambridge, 60,000 women over the age of 55 were interviewed, 4079 of them British. The team found that 90 per cent of women with fractures suffered more mobility problems, pain, anxiety or depression.

Cyrus Cooper, professor of rheumatology at the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton's Faculty of Medicine, comments: "Our study shows that the effects of fractures result in significant reductions in quality of life that are as lasting and as disabling as other chronic conditions. As important, the greater the number of fractures, the greater the disability. More needs to be done to more to identify and treat individuals at the highest risk of fractures."

Approximately 40 per cent of women over 50 will suffer a fracture; the most common sites are the hip, spine and wrist. These fractures often carry with them chronic pain, loss of independence, and especially in the case of hip fracture, an increased risk of death. Because the likelihood of fractures increases substantially with older age, fracture numbers are projected to rise as the population ages.

Using a standardized index measuring five dimensions of health (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression), the study authors administered health surveys to compare the overall health status, physical function and vitality of participants and assess health-related quality of life. The study found that spine, hip and upper leg fractures resulted in the greatest decrease in quality of life.

Source : University of Southampton