All types of fracture in postmenopausal women ‘flag bone risk’
Distinguishing between traumatic and non-traumatic fractures does patients a disservice, researchers say
Trauma fractures should trigger investigation for osteoporosis in the same way as fragility fractures, US doctors say.
Drawing on data from 66,000 women in the prospective Women’s Health Initiative study, they have found both types of fracture confer risk of a subsequent bone break, suggesting that clinical guidelines on evaluating osteoporosis status need to change.
The team found that, among 7100 women experiencing an incident fracture, 720 had a subsequent fracture.
Fragility fracture was associated with a 52% increased risk of a subsequent break, and traumatic fracture was associated with a 25% increased risk.
