The Seriousness of Osteoporotic Fractures
A broken bone is often considered an irritating but relatively minor ailment. However, an osteoporotic fracture from minimal trauma, especially of the hip or spine, is associated with an increased risk of further fractures and reduced mortality for 5-10 years. This means that someone who has a major fracture is more likely to die within the next 5-10 years compared to someone who has not had a fracture.
Increased Risk After a Fracture
The risk is most significant in the 12 months following a fracture, usually due to complications from the fracture and hospital stay. However, the reduced mortality continues out to 5 years and even 10 years for hip fractures. The exact causes and mechanisms for this remain uncertain, but there is an observed increase in conditions like heart disease and stroke after a major fracture. This may be related to inflammation and growth factors released after a fracture.
Benefits of Osteoporosis Medications
Treating with osteoporosis medications, such as zoledronic acid infusion, after a hip fracture has been shown to reduce the risk of further fractures by 35% and even decrease mortality by 28%.
Comparing Risks: Hip Fractures vs. Breast Cancer
Studies have shown that for women over the age of 50, and especially after the age of 65, breaking a hip increases mortality risk more than a breast cancer diagnosis. A US study followed women aged 65 years or older for 12.4 years and found that the mortality rate after a hip fracture was 48.1%, compared to 25.1% after a breast cancer diagnosis. At a population level, a 50-year-old woman’s remaining lifetime risk of dying from a hip fracture is similar to the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer. This comparison highlights the significance of osteoporotic fractures and underscores that bone health is a major public health issue.
Osteoporosis in Men
Although osteoporosis is more common in women, around 20% of men will experience a major osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime. Men also have a greater association with mortality and further fracture risk compared to women.
The Importance of Bone Health
If there was ever a sign that bone health and preventing fractures is important, this is it! Strength and loading training, adequate calcium and protein in the diet, maintaining hormone health, and preventing falls are key strategies to support bone health and reduce the risk of fractures.