Grandpa's Broken Hip Appears to Indicate Weaker
Bones for His Grandsons
Osteoporosis common in older women; as many as half
of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to
osteoporosis
Jan.
29, 2010 - A new study shows that hip fractures in grandfathers are
linked to low bone density and reduced bone size in their grandsons,
according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
Metabolism.
"This is the first time this risk factor for low
bone mass has been demonstrated across two generations," says associate
professor Mattias Lorentzon, who led the research team at the
Sahlgrenska Academy.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
"This new risk factor may be significant for the
diagnosis of low bone mass and suggests possible mechanisms for the
inheritance of low bone mass and fracture risk."
The study looked at around 3,700 grandparents and
their grandsons from a national register. 270 of these grandsons had
reduced bone density, in other words less bone mineral in their
skeleton.
All of these also had a grandparent who had broken
their hip, as opposed to those who did not have any relatives who had
broken a hip and had normal bone health.
"We then divided these men with reduced bone
density into two groups," says Lorentzon. "In the first, we looked at
those who had a grandmother who had broken a hip. In the second, we
looked at whether a grandfather had suffered a hip fracture."
It emerged that the men who had a male relative who
had suffered a fracture had up to 5% less bone density and 4% smaller
bones than those who did not. By way of comparison, 10% less bone
density can increase the risk of fractures as much as threefold.
In its study, the research team also took account
of other risk factors for osteoporosis, such as smoking, physical
activity, calcium intake, age, weight and gender.
"Despite these other risk factors, we could see
that bone size is reduced and that this leads to lower bone density,
which together means low bone mass – a risk factor for osteoporosis. In
other words, they run a greater risk of fractures in the future than
their peers."
This finding could lead to improvements in the
identification of patients at increased risk of osteoporosis.
"It's important for health professionals to ask
whether grandparents have had hip fractures," says Lorentzon. "This is
an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to the diagnosis and
treatment of osteoporosis."
About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis makes your bones weak and more likely
to break. Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it is common in older
women. As many as half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50
will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Risk factors include
● Getting older
● Being small and thin
● Having a family history of osteoporosis
● Taking certain medicines
● Being a white or Asian woman
● Having osteopenia, which is low bone mass
Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You might not
know you have it until you break a bone. A bone mineral density test is
the best way to check your bone health. To keep bones strong, eat a diet
rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise and do not smoke. If needed,
medicines can also help.
Osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease, is a very
common disease in Sweden today. One in two women and one in five men
here suffer an osteoporotic fracture at some time in life. Every year,
osteoporosis causes 70,000 fractures and costs the health care system
almost SEK 5 billion. These fractures often result in impaired function
and considerable suffering for the patients concerned.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Jan.
29, 2010 - A new study shows that hip fractures in grandfathers are
linked to low bone density and reduced bone size in their grandsons,
according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
Metabolism.
