Health status and risk for hip fracture: a case control study of 70-75-year-olds

A study concerning health status and social factors was performed of all hip fracture patients (n = 868) admitted to the orthopaedic clinics in Gothenburg, Sweden, during the course of 1 year. All non-institutionalized patients aged 70-75 years were invited 6 months after the fracture to a case-control survey with age-matched controls from the gerontological studies in Gothenburg. The hip-fracture patients had lower body mass index (BMI), lower bone mineral content (BMC) and higher prevalence of vertebral compression fractures. The serum concentrations of osteocalcin, aminoterminal peptide from procollagen-III and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher in the fracture group while serum creatinine concentrations and muscle strength were significantly lower. The prevalences of previous stroke and of Parkinsonism were greater in the hip fracture group. No differences in medication were observed. Thirty-nine percent of the hip fracture patients were suffering from pain and 88% had some form of walking disability at the follow-up study.