[Radius fractures in typical sites in young patients--is it early osteoporosis?]

Fractures of the radius in premenopausal women caused by a slow speed trauma are often associated with osteoporosis. Out of 156 patients we were able to screen 26 for osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck was compared with the age related control group. At the lumbar spine the mean decrease of BMD was 13.1% (CI 95% 8.78 to 17.4%; SEM = 2.1). The patients showed a BMD between Z = -1 and Z = -2 and 4 patients lessen than Z = -2. At the femoral neck the mean decrease of BMD was 15.8% (CI 95% 11.3 to 20.3%; SEM = 2.17). Z was between -1 and -2 in 10 patients and smaller -2 in 6 patients. There was no correlation between the number of risk factors and bone mineral decrease. All evaluated laboratory tests were within normal range. As a result of our investigation we suggest looking for osteoporosis in premenopausal women with fractures following slow speed trauma as a routine procedure to offer adequate therapy.