CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF RISK-FACTORS FOR HIP-FRACTURES IN THE JAPANESE ELDERLY BY A MEDITERRANEAN OSTEOPOROSIS STUDY (MEDOS) QUESTIONNAIRE

A case-control study of hip fracture among the Japanese elderly was ca rried out in order to assess the risk factors for fractures. On the da ta obtained from 249 cases and 498 controls matched with ethnicity, se x, age, and residential area, significant risk factors on the lifestyl e by multivariate analyses included drinking more than three cups of c offee daily, living in rural areas in the past, sleep disturbance, str oke with hemiplegia, and sleeping in a (Western-type) bed. In contrast , in addition to possession of a large body mass index, moderate alcoh ol intake and eating fish appeared to be associated with a reduced ris k of hip fracture. In conclusion, some traditional Japanese lifestyle characteristics mag prevent hip fractures among the Japanese elderly. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.