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Calcaneal bone mineral density in older patients who have fallen

Lookup NU author(s): Emerita Professor Julia Newton, Professor David Jones, Katharine Wilton, Jessie Pairman, Dr Steve Parry, Emeritus Professor Roger Francis

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Abstract

Background: Annually, 35-40% of those aged >65 years fall; up to 5% of such falls result in fracture. Fracture is determined both by propensity to fall and by bone fragility. Aim: To determine osteoporosis prevalence and predictors in patients who have fallen. Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Methods: We measured calcaneal BMD in 408 consecutive patients aged >50 years attending after falling. Fall number, fracture history, weight, height, and risk factors for falls and osteoporosis were recorded. T scores (SD above or below the mean for young adults) were derived in both sexes, and Z scores (SD above or below age-related normal score) in females. Results: In females (n=300, 74%), mean (SD) T score was -1.1(1.6), and mean Z score was 0(1.4); 127 (42%) had osteoporosis (T score < -1.6). ROC curves confirmed significant relationships between osteoporosis and age, weight and height (all < 0.0001). corporating fracture history, our model (fracture aged >50 years, age >83 years, weight <57kg, height <153cm as dichotomous variables) predicted osteoporosis with 91% sensitivity, 34% specificity. Of 108 male fallers, 36 (33%) had osteoporosis. Age, height and weight all predicted osteoporosis (< 0.02). The resulting model (fracture aged >50 years, age ≥80 years, weight ≤68kg, height ≤167cm as dichotomous variables) predicted osteoporosis with 92% sensitivity, 30% specificity. Discussion: Osteoporosis prevalence is not increased in female fallers compared to age-related norms; empirical use of osteoporosis treatment solely on the basis of falls thus appears inappropriate. In both sexes, the factors predicting osteoporosis were age, height and weight. Where BMD is not practical, possible or economical, our model may be a sensitive means of predicting fallers with osteoporosis. © 2006 Oxford University Press.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Newton JL, Jones DEJ, Wilton K, Pairman J, Parry SW, Francis RM

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: QJM

Year: 2006

Volume: 99

Issue: 4

Pages: 231-236

ISSN (print): 1460-2725

ISSN (electronic): 1460-2393

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcl0261093

DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcl026

PubMed id: 16565521


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