Proximal humeral fractures and relation to osteoporosis: a cohort study of 49 hospitalized patients with 50 fractures

Abstract

Background The aim was to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) in patients hospitalized with proximal humerus fractures, and Wnd out if this type of fracture is related to reduced bone mass. Materials and methods During 12 months period 49 patients (37 women) with a mean age of 70.5 (range 32–93) years, were consecutively included. A total of 50 fractures were classiWed according to the AO system into stable or unstable fractures. The treatment was decided according to the stability, surgical manner, or conservatively. BMD of the lumbar spine (L24), femoral neck (FN), and total body (TB) were measured using DXA performed for about 8 weeks after the injury. T- and Z-scores were calculated. Results Twenty-two patients (44%) presented comminute and unstable fractures, among which 19 patients were older than 60 years. Nineteen of 27 female patients aged 60 or older (70%) had low BMD classiWed as osteoporosis. All patients with osteoporosis were older than 60 years. Femoral neck Z-scores in females (P = 0.004), males (P = 0.024), and both gender together (P < 0.001) were signiWcantly lower than zero. Interpretation SigniWcantly low femoral neck Z-scores conWrmed a reduced bone mass for patients admitted in hospital with fractures of the proximal humerus.