CALCIUM INTAKE AND THE INCIDENCE OF FOREARM AND HIP-FRACTURES AMONG MEN

High calcium intakes are thought to be associated with strong bones an d lower risk of fractures. However, findings from epidemiologic studie s have not been consistent. In addition, the vast majority of such stu dies were conducted among women, leading to a relative lack of data co ncerning men. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate the relation between adult calcium intake and risk of fractures among men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). During 331,23 4 person-years of follow-up over an 8-y period, 201 forearm and 56 hip fractures due to low or moderate trauma were reported among 43,063 me n 40-75 y of age in 1986 when they first completed a questionnaire abo ut diet and lifestyle factors. After controlling for age, smoking stat us, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, alcohol consumption and total energy intake, the relative risk (RR) of forearm fractures for m en in the highest quintile of calcium intake (from foods plus suppleme nts) compared with those in the lowest quintile was 0.98 [95% confiden ce interval (CI) = 0.59-1.61; P for trend = 0,78]; for hip fractures, the comparable RR was 1.19 (95% CI = 0.42-3.35; P for trend = 0,58), R elative risks for consuming >2.5 glasses (600 mt) of milk per day comp ared with one (240 mi) or fewer per week were 1.06 (95% CI = 0.69-1.62 ; P for trend = 0.82) for forearm fractures and 0.97 (95% CI = 0.39-2. 42; P for trend = 0.56) for hip fractures. In conclusion, these result s do not support a relation between calcium intake and the incidence o f forearm or hip fractures in men.