Fractures in obese postmenopausal women: prevalence, skeletal location, and risk factors

Recent studies revealed that a high prevalence of obesity was reported in postmenopausal women with fragility fractures. This finding is in contrast with the general belief that obesity is protective against fractures. Compston and collaborators [1] compared prevalence and location of fractures in 57555 obese and nonobese women aged ≥55 years from 723 primary physician practices in 10 different countries. Obese women represent 23.8% of the subjects and fracture prevalence was 23% for obese and 24% for nonobese subgroups. Although prevalence is similar in both subgroups, obese women are more likely to present fractures in the upper arm, ankle, upper leg, and lower leg. In contrast, they present significantly less fractures in wrist, hip, and pelvis compared with nonobese women. Obese women with high prevalent fractures are specifically more likely to be cortisone users, present early menopause, report fair or poor general health, need arms to assist standing from sitting position and have reported at least two falls in the past year.

This study highlights the fact that obesity is not protective against fractures in postmenopausal women, and emphasizes the need to determine specific preventing strategies in this population.

1. Compston J, et al. Osteoporos Int. 2011;22:S106.