Stress fractures in elderly patients
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate specific risk factors, common fracture locations and possible sex-specific differences in elderly patients with stress fractures.
METHODS: This analysis enrolled 105 patients (83 women, 22 men) with stress fractures. For the analysis of possible risk factors related to increasing age, data from 82 patients (67 women, 15 men) aged 40 years and older (mean age of 57.4 ± 11.0 years) were compared with that from a younger control group [23 patients (16 women, seven men), mean age 28.4 ± 6.7 years]. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry bone densitometry (DXA) and blood samples were taken.
RESULTS: A total of 211 stress fractures were found. Of these, 177 were found in the study group, of which 90.4 % were located in the lower limb. Lumbar and femoral BMD was significantly lower in elderly patients; however, the BMD of most patients was within the osteopenic or normal range. Within the study group, a total of 83.8 % had a vitamin D insufficiency (<30 μg/l); 75.5 % were not engaged in regular physical activity more than once a week. Overweight patients within the study group had significantly more stress fractures compared to normal weight patients (2.6 ± 1.7 vs. 1.9 ± 1.1, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: A similar contribution of risk factors has been found for stress fractures in elderly patients and younger controls of the general population. Stress fracture incidence seems to be rather…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 105 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Effectiveness of Bisphosphonates and Denosumab on Risk of Vertebral Fractures in Prostate Cancer Patients Under Androgen Deprivation Therapies: A Real-World Prospective Study
- Osteoporosis-related fractures after spinal cord injury: a retrospective study from Brazil
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and mortality in older men
- Lack of Association between Vitamin D Insufficiency and Cardiovascular or Fracture Risk: A UK Biobank Study
- Muscle strength and body composition are clinical indicators of osteoporosis
- Incidence of bone protection and associated fragility injuries in patients with proximal femur fractures
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.