How Do Osteoporotic Fractures Change Women's Perceptions of Future Risk?

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Article Date: 26 Jan 2005 - 5:00 PDT

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In a qualitative study of 22 women over the age of 40 who had experienced an osteoporotic fracture in the previous year, researchers found that only a minority recognized their previous fracture as an indicator of increased susceptibility for future fractures and committed themselves to long-term prevention.

The majority of the women's perceptions fell into one of two groups: 1) They took a laissez faire approach, preferring to wait and see what the future held, or 2) They recognized some of the things they should be doing to reduce their risk but were inconsistent in maintaining changes or seeking information.

Women's Perceptions of Future Risk After Low-Energy Fractures at Midlife
By Lynn M. Meadows, Ph.D., et al

Angela Lower - alower@aafp.org
American Academy of Family Physicians

January/February Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

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