Postmenopausal women are prone to fractures
A new study has shown that postmenopausal obese women are almost as likely to fracture as non-obese women, and that poor mobility and increased risk of falls may play an important role.
Obesity is widely believed to be protective against fracture, but the study documented a high prevalence of obesity in postmenopausal women with fragility fracture.
The study compared prevalence and location of fractures in obese and non-obese postmenopausal women and examined specific risk factors for fracture.
A history of fracture after age 45 years was observed in 23 per cent of obese and 24 per cent of non-obese women.
Nearly one in four postmenopausal women with fractures is obese.
The upper arm, ankle and lower leg were significantly more likely to be affected in obese than non-obese women with a prevalent fracture, whereas fractures of the wrist, hip and pelvis were significantly less common than in non-obese women.
When compared to non-obese women, obese women with a prevalent fracture were more likely to be current cortisone users, to report early menopause, to report fair or poor general health, to use arms to assist standing from a sitting position, and to report more than two falls in the past year.
The findings were presented at the European Congress on Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis.
Obesity is widely believed to be protective against fracture, but the study documented a high prevalence of obesity in postmenopausal women with fragility fracture.
The study compared prevalence and location of fractures in obese and non-obese postmenopausal women and examined specific risk factors for fracture.
A history of fracture after age 45 years was observed in 23 per cent of obese and 24 per cent of non-obese women.
Nearly one in four postmenopausal women with fractures is obese.
The upper arm, ankle and lower leg were significantly more likely to be affected in obese than non-obese women with a prevalent fracture, whereas fractures of the wrist, hip and pelvis were significantly less common than in non-obese women.
When compared to non-obese women, obese women with a prevalent fracture were more likely to be current cortisone users, to report early menopause, to report fair or poor general health, to use arms to assist standing from a sitting position, and to report more than two falls in the past year.
The findings were presented at the European Congress on Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis.
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