Low-energy distal radius fractures in middle-aged and elderly women-seasonal variations, prevalence of osteoporosis, and associates with fractures.

UNLABELLED: There is a lack of data on the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with distal radius fractures occurring at the various seasons. The prevalence of osteoporosis is high, both in patients with indoor and outdoor fractures and higher than in controls. All female distal radius fracture patients >or=50 years should be referred for osteoporosis assessment.

INTRODUCTION

The objectives of this study in female distal radius fracture patients were to investigate seasonal differences, estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis, and identify factors associated with distal radius fractures compared with controls.

METHODS

In a 2-year period, 263 women >/=50 years suffered a low-energy distal radius fracture in the geographic catchment area. The 214 women who met for osteoporosis assessment were age-matched with 191 controls. Bone mineral density was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine. Demographic and clinical data were collected.

RESULTS

The prevalence of indoor fractures showed no seasonal variance. For outdoor fractures, the prevalence was highest in the winter months. The prevalence of osteoporosis among patients with indoor fractures was higher (58.5%) than outdoor fractures without (38.6%) and with snow/ice (36.0%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of osteoporosis was higher in fracture patients (42.5%) than controls (24.1%; p < 0.001), this was also found in the youngest age group 50-59 years (22.2% vs 1.8%; p < 0.001). In conditional logistic regression analyses osteoporosis, current use of glucocorticoids, and living alone were independently associated with distal radius fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights that environmental factor, as well as osteoporosis are associated with distal radius fractures in middle-aged and elderly women. Osteoporosis is also frequently found in outdoor patients, thus, all female distal radius fracture patients >or=50 years should be referred for osteoporosis assessment.