RISK-FACTORS FOR HIP FRACTURE IN MEN

To identify risk factors for hip fracture in men, the authors conducte d a case-control study involving 20 hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsyl vania, and 14 hospitals in Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of n orthern California, The 356 enrolled men had been admitted with a radi ologically confirmed first hip fracture, The 402 control men either we re from the Philadelphia area or were members of Kaiser Permanente and were frequency matched to the cases by age and ZIP code or telephone exchange, information on potential risk factors was obtained through p ersonal interviews. Men in the lowest quintile of body mass had a grea tly increased risk of hip fracture compared with men in the heaviest q uintile (odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-6.4). P remorbid lower limb dysfunction was associated with increased risks fa r. hip fracture (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.1-5.4), Increased risks were also ob served with the use of cimetidine (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.6) and psychot ropic drugs (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.3). Smoking cigarettes or a pipe inc reased the risk of hip fracture, and this association was independent of body mass. Finally, previous physical activity was markedly protect ive. Factors thought to affect bone density as well as factors identif ied as risk factors for falls appear to be important determinants of t he risk of hip fracture in men. Physical activity may be a particularl y promising preventive measure for men, Additional studies of the use of cimetidine an osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures are indicated .