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Published on: August 17, 2017
Risk factors for hip fracture in men. Hip Fracture Study Group
J A Grisso1, J L Kelsey, L A O'Brien
1Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6021, USA.
Insights
Low body mass, limb dysfunction, and certain medications increase men's hip fracture risk. Regular physical activity is protective, suggesting it as a key preventive measure for reducing hip fractures in men.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Hip fractures pose a significant health risk to men, with limited understanding of specific contributing factors.
- Identifying modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential risk factors associated with hip fractures in men.
- To evaluate the role of lifestyle, medication, and physical condition in hip fracture incidence.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 356 men experiencing their first hip fracture and 402 controls.
- Data on potential risk factors were collected through personal interviews across multiple hospital sites.
- Frequency matching by age and geographic indicators was used to select control participants.
Main Results:
- Men in the lowest body mass quintile had a significantly higher risk of hip fracture (OR 3.8).
- Premorbid lower limb dysfunction (OR 3.4), cimetidine use (OR 2.5), and psychotropic drug use (OR 2.2) were associated with increased risk.
- Cigarette/pipe smoking increased risk independently of body mass, while prior physical activity was protective.
Conclusions:
- Low body mass, lower limb dysfunction, and specific medications (cimetidine, psychotropic drugs) are significant risk factors for hip fracture in men.
- Physical activity demonstrates a protective effect, highlighting its importance in hip fracture prevention strategies for men.
- Further research on cimetidine's impact on osteoporosis and fractures is warranted.
Abstract:
To identify risk factors for hip fracture in men, the authors conducted a case-control study involving 20 hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 14 hospitals in Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of northern California. The 356 enrolled men had been admitted with a radiologically confirmed first hip fracture. The 402 control men either were from the Philadelphia area or were members of Kaiser Permanente and were frequency matched to the cases by age and ZIP code or telephone exchange. Information on potential risk factors was obtained through personal interviews. Men in the lowest quintile of body mass had a greatly increased risk of hip fracture compared with men in the heaviest quintile (odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-6.4). Premorbid lower limb dysfunction was associated with increased risks for hip fracture (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.1-5.4). Increased risks were also observed with the use of cimetidine (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.6) and psychotropic drugs (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.3). Smoking cigarettes or a pipe increased the risk of hip fracture, and this association was independent of body mass. Finally, previous physical activity was markedly protective. Factors thought to affect bone density as well as factors identified as risk factors for falls appear to be important determinants of the risk of hip fracture in men. Physical activity may be a particularly promising preventive measure for men. Additional studies of the use of cimetidine on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures are indicated.
