Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI)

 Abstract

 Background: Osteoporosis is a major public health threat, and hip fracture is a serious consequence of osteoporosis. Apatient with an osteoporosis-related hip fracture has an increased risk for a second hip fracture. The effect of osteoporosis management on the risk of recurrent hip fracture was evaluated in this study.

 Methods: 58 hip fracture patients older than 50yr and BMD < 2.5 were discharged from hospital with Ca-Vitamin D- Alendronate prescriptions, and followed up for 4 years to determine the rate of recurrent hip fractures. Rate of second hip fractures was compared with 58 hip fractures in the control group (without osteoporosis treatment) which were also followed for 4 years.

 Results: 72% of patients continued treatment for 2 years. There were no second hip fractures in the critical first 12 months in the treated group. Overall second hip fractures in osteoporosis treated and control groups were 3.4% and 8.6% (p<0.03), respectively.

 Conclusion: Management of hip fractures in the elderly should include bone mineral density determination and osteoporosis treatment to prevent further fractures.