Preventing Hip Fracture

Each year in the U.S., more than 300,000 hip fractures occur, mostly in women. These fractures are painful, costly and associated with a high rate of death. So it would be helpful to know your specific risk for having a hip fracture, so you’d know if you should take medication or try other things to prevent it. A new study may help.

Researchers at University of California Davis studied more than 100,000 postmenopausal women, to see what factors increased the risk of having a hip fracture during the next five years. Older age is the greatest risk factor, but there are many more factors to consider such as race… Caucasian women are at greater risk, as are thinner women, taller women, women who smoke, women who are not physically active, who have diabetes, who take corticosteroids. These factors can each play a role, as can a woman’s perception of how good her health is.

The researchers created a computer program, and when a physician enters all the factors, the program estimates the patient’s risk. Then the patient and her physician can decide if preventive medications are needed.