Threefold increased risk of hip fractures with rheumatoid arthritis in Central Finland

Objectives-To evaluate the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the incid ence of hip fractures. Methods-All patients with acute hip fractures admitted to Jyvaskyla Central Hospital in 1991-93 (n=517) were selected from the hospital discharge regi ster. Medical records of these patients were studied retrospectively for RA fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association criteria. The prevalence of RA in patients with hip fractures was compared with the prevalence rates o f RA obtained from the nearby city of Tampere. Results-29 (5.6%; 95% CI 3.8 to 8.0) of the patients with hip fracture in J yvaskyla Central Hospital had RA. The age and sex adjusted risk of hip frac tures was increased by RA (risk ratio 3.26; 95% CI 2.26 to 4.70). Conclusions-Patients with RA are at increased risk of osteoporotic hip frac tures.