Incidence of four major types of osteoporotic fragility fractures among elderly individuals in Sado, Japan, in 2015.

The aim of this study was to survey the incidence of osteoporotic fragility fractures, which include vertebral, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus fractures, in patients ≥ 50 years of age, from 2004 to 2015, in Sado City, Japan. We examined temporal changes in the incidence of these fractures from 2010 through 2015. The incidence of vertebral (p < 0.001) and radius fractures (p = 0.001) was lower in 2015 than in 2010, with only the incidence of hip fracture (p = 0.013) being lower in 2015 than in 2004. With regard to age-specific incidences, there was a sharp increase in vertebral and hip fractures among the segment of the population 70-89 years old, with no remarkable change in the incidence of radial and humeral fractures. Pre-existing vertebral fractures were identified in 69.6% of patients with a hip fracture, 35.6% of patients with a distal radius fracture, and 55% of patients with a humeral fracture. Among patients with pre-existing vertebral fractures, 42.5% had a single fracture, whereas 57.5% had 2 or more fractures. The proportion of patients on anti-osteoporotic agents before the occurrence of fractures increased to 14.5% in 2015, compared to 4% in 2004 and 7.6% in 2010. We speculate that the increase in the use of anti-osteoporotic agents is the main reason for the declining incidence of fractures. Therefore, considering the sharp increase in hip and vertebral fractures among individuals in their mid-1970s and older, judicious use of anti-osteoporotic agents among these individuals could be useful for lowering the occurrence of these fractures.

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D increases cognitive impairment in elderly people.

It has been reported that many elderly people have low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and that serum 25(OH)D levels may have a relationship with cognitive function. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and cognitive function in a Japanese population. This cross-sectional study was performed as a part of the Project in Sado for Total Health (PROST). The PROST study evaluated cognitive state and serum vitamin D level from June 2011 to November 2013 for 740 patients (431 men and 309 women). The Mini-Mental State Examination-Japanese version (MMSE-J) and serum 25(OH)D level measurements were used as assessment tools. Cognitive impairment was defined using MMSE-J ≤ 23 as a cutoff. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for low MMSE-J scores. The average subject age was 68.1 years, the average MMSE- J score was 25.9, and the average 25(OH)D level was 24.6 ng/mL. Significant ORs for cognitive impairment were observed for both high age and low serum 25(OH)D. The adjusted OR for the lowest versus highest serum 25(OH)D quartiles was 2.70 (95% confidence interval 1.38-5.28, P = 0.0110). Low serum 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment.

Incidence of osteoporotic fractures in Sado, Japan in 2010.

We conducted a survey of fracture incidences associated with senile osteoporosis in 2010 in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, including compression vertebral fractures, hip fractures, distal radius fractures, and fractures of the proximal end of the humerus. We previously conducted a similar survey from 2004-2006 in Sado City. The purpose of the current study was to determine the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in Sado City in 2010 and to examine changes over time. We calculated the incidence of each fracture per 100,000 person-years based on the population of Sado City. Hip and vertebral fractures showed marked increases from 2004-2006, but a similar increase was not found from 2006-2010. The average age at injury increased in 2010 compared to 2004, except for fractures of the radius. Among the subjects with hip fractures, 14 % had a history of contralateral hip fracture. The percentage of patients taking medication for osteoporosis before injury was higher in 2010 compared with 2004, but these percentages were still only 7 and 13 % for those with subsequent hip and vertebral fractures, respectively.

[Vitamin D and risk of fracture].

Although an increase in vitamin D has a small effect on bone mineral density, it has an influence on fracture prevention. This may be explained by a mechanism of improvement of bone strength that does not necessarily depend on bone mineral density. The level of serum 25 (OH) D is low in hip fracture patients compared with non-fracture controls, which suggests that a background of vitamin D insufficiency may be involved in hip fracture. Vitamin D acts on skeletal muscle and nerve cells, and it has been reported that this has an effect on fall prevention. Furthermore, recent reports suggest a role of vitamin D in cognitive function and in other tissues not involving bone.

Secular change of the incidence of four fracture types associated with senile osteoporosis in Sado, Japan: the results of a 3-year survey.

We conducted a three-year survey of fracture incidences associated with senile osteoporosis--compression fractures of the spine, femoral neck fractures, distal radius fractures, and fractures of the proximal end of the humerus--to examine secular change. The survey was conducted between 2004 and 2006 on patients in Sado City. We calculated the incidence of each fracture based on the population of Sado City (per 100,000 person-years). Only clinical or incident fractures were diagnosed as new fractures for compression fractures of the spine. Incidence of compression fracture of the spine was the highest, followed by femoral neck fracture, distal radius fracture, and fracture of the proximal end of the humerus. The incidence of femoral neck fracture increased annually from 2004 to 2006, significantly among the elderly in their 80s (P < 0.05). Compression fracture of the spine also increased but not significantly. The incidences of distal radius fracture and fracture of the proximal end of the humerus did not increase. This increase in incidence of femoral neck fractures associated with senile osteoporosis will become an important issue for an aging society such as Japan.

Incidence and outcome of osteoporotic fractures in 2004 in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

Osteoporotic fracture in elderly populations is increasing worldwide, but there are few data on the incidence and outcome of osteoporotic fractures, including upper extremity and vertebral fracture, during a certain period in a defined geographic area. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in a particular area: Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. From January to December 2004, osteoporotic fractures of the vertebra, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus in Sado City were recorded. The incidence, age, gender, type of fracture (for hip fracture), right or left side (for distal radius, proximal humerus, and hip fracture), place of injury, cause of injury, outcome, hospitalization period, and patient status regarding taking of drugs for osteoporosis treatment were checked for each fracture. The incidence was calculated based on the whole population of Sado City. The incidence per 100,000 population was 232.8, 121.4, 108.6, and 37.1 for fractures of the vertebra, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus, respectively. The total incidence of these four kinds of fracture was 499.9 per 100,000 persons per year. The average age at the time of injury was 81.4, 77.7, 75.7, and 60.2 years old for fractures of the hip, vertebra, proximal humerus, and distal radius, respectively. As the average age increased, the percentage of fractures that occurred indoors also increased; that is, a higher percentage of hip fractures occurred indoors, followed by fractures of the vertebra, proximal humerus, and distal radius. Most patients were not taking anti-osteoporosis drugs before fractures of the hip or vertebra. We determined the incidence of major osteoporotic fractures in 1 year in a defined geographic area. Our data showed that 81% of hip fracture patients also had a vertebral fracture and that the average age at the time of injury was higher for hip fractures than for vertebral fractures. Therefore, these results suggest that vertebral fracture leads to hip fracture, indicating that early fracture prevention and continuous prevention strategies through positive treatment are of importance in osteoporotic elderly people.

Serum 25-OHD insufficiency as a risk factor for hip fracture.

The aging population and an increasing number of hip fractures worldwide have made prevention of hip fractures a matter of importance. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with acute hip fracture has been reported widely in recent years, and the vitamin D nutritional status in such reports is usually evaluated based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD). The aim of this article is to review the relationship of serum 25-OHD and osteoporotic fracture and the prevalence of 25-OHD insufficiency in patients with hip fracture, including assessment of nutritional status, oral status, activity, and dementia. We conclude that the serum 25-OHD level may be a useful index for risk of hip fracture in elderly people.