Fractures

 

Decreased fractures are a known benefit of estrogen. It helps to preserve bone density, reducing the potential risks of fractures.

Why do fractures occur as we age? Bone mass declines and the risk of fractures increases as people age, especially as women pass through menopause. Hip fractures are the most serious osteoporosis outcome and are becoming more frequent because the world's population is aging. The frequency of hip fractures is increasing by 1-3% per year in most areas of the world. Low bone density and previous fractures are risk factors for almost all types of fractures, but each type of fracture also has its own unique risk factors. Fractures can be prevented with treatments, which could potentially be expensive. Following a hip fracture, there is a 10%-20% mortality rate over the subsequent six months, 50% of sufferers will be unable to walk without assistance, and 25% will require long-term at-home care.

Osteoporosis is one of the major problems facing older women and men. The morbid event in osteoporosis is fracture. However, the definition of osteoporosis does not require the presence of fractures but only a decrease in bone mass that is associated with an unacceptably high risk of fracture. In the U.S., approximately 1.5 million fractures are attributable to osteoporosis annually.

Cummings, S. R., Melton, L. J.; 2002, Epidemiology and outcomes of osteoporotic fractures, Lancet 359, 9319, 1761-7, May 18

Riggs, B. L., Melton, L. J. rd, 1995, The worldwide problem of osteoporosis: insights afforded by epidemiology, Bone, 17, Issue 5 Suppl, 505S-511S