We report the results of a 5-year prospective cohort study of risk fac
tors for fractures, including drinking fluoridated water, in a cohort
of 3,216 men and women age 65 years and older. We studied risk factors
for hip fracture and fractures at other locations separately. We foun
d a higher risk of hip fractures for subjects exposed to fluorine conc
entrations over 0.11 mg per liter but without a dose-effect relation [
odds ratio (OR) = 3.25 for a concentration of 0.11-0.25 mg per liter;
OR = 2.43 for greater than or equal to 0.25 mg per liter]. For higher
thresholds (0.7 and 1 mg per liter), however, the OR was less than 1.
We found no association between fluorine and non-hip fractures. Non-hi
p fractures were associated with polymedication rather than with speci
fic drug use, whereas fracture was associated with polymedication and
use of anxiolytic and antidepressive drugs. Subjects drinking spirits
every day were more likely to have hip fractures. Tobacco consumption
increased the risk for non-hip fractures.