Risk of fractures after stroke.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the risk of fractures after stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) in relatively young patients. METHODS: Administrative claims data were identified for patients aged 18 years and older hospitalized for stroke/TIA from 1997 to 2005 using ICD-9 codes. Fractures after stroke/TIA were identified for the same time period. RESULTS: The median age was 56 years. Females represented 47%. There were 411 ischemic strokes, 195 TIAs and 36 intracerebral hemorrhages, as well as 46 fractures in 41 individuals. The risk of fracture after stroke/TIA was 1.2% at 30 days and 3.1% at 1 year. There was no significant difference in survival free from fracture between ischemic stroke and TIA cases (p = 0.8489). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stroke/TIA, including men and younger patients, appear to be at risk for bone fractures.