RISK FACTORS FOR BONE FRAGILITY: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY.
Contributors: University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 137
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.
Description: The purpose of this historical prospective study is to determine factors that are predictive of osteoporotic fracture. A conceptual schema is introduced to organize the current knowledge base of risk factors for bone fragility. The subjects were 191 white Roman Catholic nuns who have been followed for 25 years as part of a prospective study to determine the natural history of bone fragility. Data related to diet, activity, hormones, heredity, and personal exposures have been collected every five years using questionnaires, blood collection, activity monitoring devices, and radiogrammetry (a method of determining bone density).

Cox proportional hazards model with time-dependent explanatory variables was used for analysis. Results indicated that age, height, and four radiogrammetric variables--upper radial cortical thickness, and metacarpal cortical thickness, percent cortical area, and cortical index--were predictive of fracture. Taller persons were at greater risk as were subjects with low radiogrammetric values. The final model indicated that those who fractured were more likely to be over 55 and to have a lower metacarpal cortical thickness at the time of fracture than those followed to that time who were fracture free.

Findings suggest that radiogrammetry, which is relatively simple and inexpensive, may be appropriate for mass screening to determine perimenopausal women most in need of preventive intervention for bone fragility.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-07, Section: B, page: 3402.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER, 1992.

School code: 0367.