20 Apr Risk of Second Fracture Highest Immediately After First Fracture from Osteoporosis

Posted at 01:32h in Author Interviews, Orthopedics, Osteoporosis by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Professor Nicholas C W Harvey, MA MB BChir PhD FRCP Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit University of Southampton Southampton General Hospital Southampton UK

Prof. Harvey

Professor Nicholas C W Harvey, MA MB BChir PhD FRCP
Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology
Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit
University of Southampton
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton UK

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Prof. Harvey:  It is well established that fracture risk is substantially increased by having had a previous fracture. A previous study suggested that fracture risk soon after a spine fracture might be greater than the risk later on, and if the risk varies with time, it would be sensible to identify the time at greatest risk, so intervention can be given.

The risk of a second osteoporotic fracture was greatest immediately after the first fracture and thereafter decreased with time though remained higher than the population risk throughout follow up. For example, 1 year after the first fracture the risk of a second fracture was three times higher than the population risk. After 10 years it was two times higher.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Prof. Harvey:  If a patient presents with an osteoporotic fracture then their risk of having another fracture is particularly high in the period immediately after the presenting fracture, which strongly suggests that assessment of bone health and treatment with anti-osteoporosis medications should be undertaken as a matter of urgency following an initial fracture.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Prof. Harvey:  It would be helpful to investigate further what particular factors underlie this immediate increased risk, and what the optimal therapeutic strategies might be.

Citation:

International Osteoporosis Foundation 2016. “Risk of second major osteoporotic fracture is greatest immediately after first fracture: Results suggest that pharmacological treatment for secondary fracture prevention may be most usefully initiated immediately following a first fracture.”

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Last Updated on April 20, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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