URINARY-INCONTINENCE - A MINOR RISK FACTOR FOR HIP-FRACTURES IN ELDERLY WOMEN

Objective: The aim of the study was to study the influence of urinary disorders as urinary incontinence on the prevalence of hip fracture in 85-year-old women. Method's: A representative community-based populat ion study was performed at the geriatric outpatient department of a un iversity hospital in a sample consisting of 658 85-year-old women, of which 69% were living at home and 31% were living in institutions. The prevalence of hip fractures was registered and measurement with dual photon absorptiometry of the right calcaneum was performed. The subjec ts were questioned covering sociodemographic background, the occurrenc e, type, frequency and amount of urinary incontinence, medical examina tions and investigations of the prevalence of hip fracture. Results: H ip fracture was significantly associated with urinary incontinence (P < 0.001) for women and the odds ratio of hip fracture was twice that f ound in general population (OR = 2.42). Body mass index and weight wer e both significant higher(P < 0.01) among women with urinary incontine nce and hip fracture. The frequency of urinary incontinence was also s ignificant correlated to hip fracture (P < 0.001). Subjects with diabe tes had a tendency to be associated with urinary incontinence(P < 0.06 ) In a logistic multiple regression analysis, body mass index, urinary incontinence and cancers were the only explanatory factors for hip fr actures at 85 years of age. Conclusion: The association between postme nopausal urinary incontinence and hip fracture are multifactorial and whether this is a result of decreasing estrogen levels or a result of general aging process is still under debate. Women with urinary incont inence and earlier atrumatic multiple postmenopausal fractures should be considered a special target group for estrogen prophylaxis in order to prevent further severe fractures.