Osteoporotic Fragility Fracture Is Associated With an Increased Rate of New Mental Disorder Diagnosis

Fragility fractures can be substantially life-altering with notable effects on patient well-being and mental health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing a new mental disorder diagnosis within 2 years following osteoporotic fragility fracture.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large national insurance claims database. Patients with proximal humerus, wrist, pelvis, hip, and spine fractures were matched in a 1:4 ratio with nonfracture control patients. Rates of mental disorders after primary fragility fractures were compared using multivariable logistic regression. Mental disorders evaluated included alcohol use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, drug use disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicide attempt.

Elderly patients who sustained fragility fractures had a statistically significant increased risk of being diagnosed with many of the queried mental disorders within 2 years following fracture compared with control patients with no fracture. Comparing each individual fragility fracture demonstrated that hip fractures had the greatest risk of developing any of the queried mental disorders (OR:1.88, CI: 1.74-2.03).

There is an increased risk of being diagnosed with a new mental disorder following fragility fracture in patients older than 65 years. Mental health screening and potential psychiatric evaluation should be considered for patients following fragility fracture.

Original Research (Level III).