A study of male patients with forearm fracture in Northern Ireland

Osteoporosis, although considered less common, still occurs in men. We present a cross-sectional study of a group of Northern Ireland men with low-trauma forearm fractures to determine the presence of osteoporosis and screen for secondary causes of low bone mineral density. Male patients aged 30-75 years, presenting with distal forearm fracture in 2000-2001 in Northern Ireland, were identified through a Colles fracture database. A total of 37 subjects consented to have bone mineral density measurements undertaken at the femoral neck, spine and forearm using a Lunar expert bone densitometer. Twenty-seven percent of the men had osteoporosis at the spine, femoral neck or forearm, as defined by a bone mineral density score of less than -2.5. We also found that 49% of patients had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, 27% had low serum testosterone, 14% had abnormal liver function test results, and 14% had raised parathyroid hormone. Only one patient received advice or treatment regarding osteoporosis at the time of fracture. Increased awareness of male osteoporosis and the need for screening for potential secondary causes in this group of patients is required, both at primary and secondary care level.