The pathogenesis of distal forearm fractures in men: the Mr F study
Miss Birgit Hanusch - James Cook University Hospital
Awarded £42,812 in 2009
1 in 5 men over the age of 50 years will fracture a bone in their lifetime. These fractures often lead to long-term pain and reduction of activity. Men who have had a fracture are more likely to die younger than men who have never had a fracture. Men with a forearm fracture are at increased risk of further fractures, such as those of the hip or spine. This increased risk is almost twice as high as in women with forearm fractures. We have previously shown that men with a forearm fracture have lower bone density than control subjects, but only 42% have evidence of osteoporosis at the spine or hip. We suggest that men with forearm fracture may have localised reduction in bone density at the forearm. This could be caused by changes in sex hormones and an imbalance between bone destruction and bone formation (bone turnover). This study will compare 60 men with a forearm fracture and 60 age-matched male control subjects. They will undergo measurements of bone density at the forearm, hip and spine as well as sex hormone concentration and biochemical markers of bone turnover.