Analysis on the risk factors of second fracture in fracture related to osteoporosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of re-fracture in patients suffering from osteoporosis-related fractures as well as effective interventions.Methods From January 2006 to January 2008,a total of 273 patients with osteoporosis-related fracture were entered in the study,including out-patients and in-patients who were over 50 years old.The patients were divided into fracture group(n=225)and re-fracture group(n=48).The re-fracture rate was followed up for 2 years,during which 11 patients developed re-fracture.General data including age and sex,fracture types,femoral neck bone mineral density(BMD)T-scores tested by dual-energy X-rays absorptiometry(DEXA),Charlson index,timeinterval between two fractures as well as mobility skill assessment were collected and analyzed.Results The average age at the first fracture was 67.7±8.5 years vs.72.7±9.5 years for the re-fracture cases.Female accounted for 70.2% of the fracture group and 77.1% of the re-fracture group.The most common re-fracture type was vertebral fracture for the first time and femoral neck fracture for the second time during the followup.Risk factors for a second fracture in osteoporotic fractures patients include age(＞75 years,HR=1.23; ＞85years,HR=1.68),female sex(HR=1.36),prior vertebral fractures(HR=1.62),prior hip fractures(HR=1.27),BMD T-score＜-3.5(HR=1.38)and weakened motor skills(HR=1.27).The refracture rate in osteoporosis-related fractures was 4.9% followed up for 2 years.The second fracture happened 3.7 years after the first one on average.Conclusion The risks of second fracture among patients with initial brittle fracture are substantial.Mobility skill assessment is an important risk factor for osteoporosis fractures recurrence.There is adequate time between fracture and re-fracture for effective interventions to prevent or reduce the risks of refracture,especially for the old women with a vertebral or hip fracture.Medication,motor function rehabilitation and fall-down prevention training would be helpful. Key words: Osteoporosis; Fractures,bone; Risk assessment