RISK-FACTORS FOR OSTEOPOROTIC HIP-FRACTURES IN MEXICANS

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) and its fractures are a major problem du e to their impact in morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Although this entity is well studied in other countries, OP and its fractures h ave not been evaluated carefully in our population. The objective was to assess risk factors for osteoporotic hip fracture in Mexicans. Meth ods: A total of 295 subjects, 152 cases and 143 controls, were studied . Cases were patients with hip fracture, of both sexes and 45 years of age or older. Controls were healthy subjects who were in hospital wai ting rooms accompanying patients without hip fractures. A questionnair e covering known possible risk factors for osteoporotic hip fracture w as administered by the same evaluator to all subjects. Pelvic roentgen ograms, anterior-posterior view, were obtained in both cases and contr ols to perform the Singh index and the cortical index of the femur. Re sults: Fractures were present in (72.2.%) of women. Weight and any alc ohol ingestion were associated with an inceased risk of hip fracture. The odds ratio (OR) for low weight by the Quetelet Index was 4.03 (95% CI 1.93 - 8.39) p<0.001. Any alcohol intake was associated with an OR of 1.73 (95% CI 1.04- 2.90) p less than or equal to 0.03 for the tota l group, and 2.78 (95% CI 1.25 - 6.14) p less than or equal to 0.003 f or women. Controls had a significantly higher mean daily calcium intak e compared to cases (mean, SD 575.9 +/- 297.2 vs. 490.4 +/- 245.5, p l ess than or equal to(0.007). Family history, smoking, physical activit y, pregnancies, breastfeeding or concomitant diseases were not associa ted with risk of hip fracture. Conclusions: This study confirmed the r isk factors for osteoporotic hip fracture in Mexicans, previously show n for other ethnic groups. Further research in different factors, such as rate of bone turnover, anthropometric dimensions, and genetic stud ies (osteoporosis gene) are needed in order to define the differences among ethnic groups.