Overall health, smoking and weight 'can affect mortality risk after a fracture'

A new study has highlighted the impact that lifestyle factors can have on a person's mortality risk after they sustain a fracture. Carried out by the University of Oslo in Norway, the research has shown how factors such as smoking, body weight and overall health can exacerbate the mortality risks that people who break a bone already face. The effect of smoking, weight and overall health on mortality risks The aim of the research, which was published in the medical journalOsteoporosis International, was to investigate the impact of pre-fracture self-perceived health, smoking and body mass index (BMI) on post-hip fracture mortality rates. Data from ten existing Norwegian health studies and a national hip fracture database was collated, with information on 3,177 hip fracture patients aged 60 and above compared to 20,282 people without fractures. The highest excess mortality was found in hip fracture patients reporting poor health and daily smoking prior to the fracture, as well as in patients with a high BMI. The inherent danger of fractures However, it was also noted that excess mortality could also be seen across all hip fracture patients involved in the study, regardless of their BMI, health and smoking status. This demonstrates the dangers inherent to breaking a bone for older people, and the need to address controllable lifestyle factors to help minimise this risk wherever possible. The researchers concluded:"Information on self-perceived health, smoking and BMI co...

Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 9, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news