Postmenopausal Women Are At High Risk Of Repeat Fracture Within Five Years Of The First One

Main Category: Menopause
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopaedics;  Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 18 Sep 2007 - 16:00 PDT

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A ten year study of bone fractures among post-menopausal women has found that the absolute risk of a second clinical fracture is highest in the five years after any first clinical fracture. The absolute risk for a first clinical fracture is lower and depends on osteoporosis and age.

The research, published in this month's issue of Menopause International, was a population-based study covering ten general practice centres in the Netherlands. The sample surveyed were 2372 postmenopausal women, aged between 50 and 80 years at the beginning of the study. There are scant data available on the long-term absolute risk of clinical fractures. Although several studies have suggested that fracture incidence varies over time (and that a further fracture is more likely immediately after a first fracture rather than after an interval), most of these were short-term studies.

Apart from the time elapsing after a first fracture, the other significant risk factors were increasing age and osteoporosis.

The study is significant because it showed that 40% of women with a previous fracture had a new clinical fracture. Identifying post-menopausal women who are at high risk is important for policy-makers (who can implement fracture prevention strategies), and for GPs and hospital specialists (who are better enabled to identify quickly and accurately which women are at most risk.)

Risk factors for clinical fractures among post-menopausal women: a 10-year prospective study

[PDF 1916k] The British Menopause Society is a global opinion leader in the controversies on postmenopausal health through its journal, website and consensus statements. Members of the British Menopause Society receive Menopause International free of charge.

'Risk factors for clinical fractures among post-menopausal women: a 10-year prospective study', is in the latest edition of Menopause International, Vol. 13, No. 3, September 2007.

http://www.rsm.ac.uk