Colles' fracture associated with reduced bone mineral content. Photon densitometry in 74 patients with matched controls
Mallmin, H.; Ljunghall, S.; Naessén, T.
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 63(5): 552-554
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6470 PMID: 1441956 Document Number: 393578
In a prospective population-based investigation, we measured bone mineral density (BMD) of the forearm using single-photon absorptiometry at both a distal and a more proximal site in 74 Colles'-fracture patients who were compared with controls matched for age, sex, and years after menopause. For both groups there was a marked inverse relationship between age and bone mass. However, over the entire age range, the probanfds had 11 percent reduced BMD when compared with the controls. Our findings confirm that patients with fracture of the distal foream have reduced BMD. They constitute an appropriate group for studies aimed at prevention of fracture in the elderly.