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Published on: January 31, 2025
Bone density and fragility fractures in patients with developmental disabilities
W D Leslie1, P S Pahlavan, E B Roe
1Section of Nuclear Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. bleslie@sbgh.mb.ca
Summary
Institutionalized adults with developmental disabilities have a high prevalence of osteoporosis. Lower bone mineral density (BMD) in the heel and forearm is significantly linked to prior fragility fractures in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Osteoporosis and fragility fractures pose significant health risks.
- Developmentally disabled adults represent an understudied population regarding bone health.
- Institutionalized settings may present unique risk factors for osteoporosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis and associated risk factors in institutionalized adults with developmental disabilities.
- To determine the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and prior fragility fractures in this cohort.
- To identify specific factors contributing to osteoporosis in this population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 107 institutionalized adults with developmental disabilities.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the forearm and heel using a portable X-ray densitometer.
- Prior fragility fractures were identified through chart review.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of osteoporotic bone mineral density (BMD) was observed, with 78.5% of participants having measurements in the osteoporotic range.
- Lower BMD measurements at both the heel (mean T-score -3.1) and forearm (mean T-score -1.6) were significantly associated with prior fragility fractures.
- Each standard deviation decrease in heel or forearm T-score independently increased the odds of prior fracture.
Conclusions:
- Institutionalized adults with developmental disabilities exhibit a very high prevalence of osteoporotic bone mineral density (BMD).
- Reduced heel and forearm BMD are significantly and independently associated with a history of fragility fractures in this population.
- These findings highlight the critical need for osteoporosis screening and intervention in institutionalized individuals with developmental disabilities.
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