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Weight loss and distal forearm fractures in postmenopausal women

The Nord-Trøndelag health study, Norway

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Abstract

Summary

Weight loss is a risk factor for hip fractures, but few studies have evaluated the effect of weight loss on distal forearm fracture risk. In this longitudinal study including 7,871 postmenopausal women, weight loss of 5% or more was associated with an increased risk of distal forearm fractures.

Introduction

Weight loss is an established risk factor for hip fractures, but little is known about weight loss and distal forearm fractures risk.

Methods

The study included 7,871 women aged 65 years or more in the Nord-Trøndelag health study (HUNT) in 1994–1995 (HUNT II) who also had their height and weight measured in 1984–1986 (HUNT I). Forearm bone mineral density (BMD) by single energy x-ray absorptiometry was available for 5,688 women (HUNT II). Fractures sustained after HUNT II were registered during an average of 5.8 years.

Results

A total of 536 women sustained a distal forearm fracture. After adjustments for age and body mass index (BMI) at HUNT I, women who lost ≥5% of their weight between HUNT I and HUNT II had a relative risk of fractures of 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.62) compared with the rest of the women. The higher risk of forearm fracture among women with weight loss was at least partially explained by their lower forearm BMD.

Conclusion

Weight loss of 5% or more was associated with a 33% increased risk of distal forearm fractures.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by grants from the Norwegian Research Council. The Nord-Trøndelag health study (The HUNT Study) is a collaboration between the HUNT Research Centre; the Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Verdal); the Norwegian Institute of Public Health; and the Nord-Trøndelag County Council. The fracture registration was performed by the Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section for Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    T. K. Omsland & H. E. Meyer

  2. Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    B. Schei, A. B. Grønskag & A. Langhammer

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    B. Schei

  4. Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway

    L. Forsén & H. E. Meyer

  5. Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    C. G. Gjesdal

Authors
  1. T. K. Omsland
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  2. B. Schei
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  3. A. B. Grønskag
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  4. A. Langhammer
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  5. L. Forsén
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  6. C. G. Gjesdal
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  7. H. E. Meyer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. K. Omsland.

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Omsland, T.K., Schei, B., Grønskag, A.B. et al. Weight loss and distal forearm fractures in postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int 20, 2009–2016 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-0894-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-0894-1

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