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Smoking and Fracture Risk
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Smoking increased the risk for fracture among elderly women, especially vertebral fractures, according to a study of 1,033 women during 10 years from age 75 years. Researchers found that, compared to nonsmokers:
• Smokers and former smokers had increased risk for any fracture [respective hazard ratios (HR) of 1.30 and 1.32] and for any osteoporotic fracture (HR 1.31 and HR 1.49).
• Former smokers had increased risk for proximal humerus fractures (HR 2.23).
• Current smokers had increased risk for vertebral fractures (HR 2.30).
• After adjustment for weight, previous fractures, alcohol habits, bone mineral density, use of corticoids, vitamin D, bisphosphonates, and previous falls:
◊ Current smokers had increased risk for osteoporotic (HR 1.47) and vertebral fractures (HR 2.50).
• Former smokers had decreased risk for vertebral fractures, but not for other fractures.
Citation: Thorin MH, Wihlborg A, Akesson K, Gerdhem P. Smoking, smoking cessation, and fracture risk in elderly women followed for 10 years. [Published online ahead of print August 25, 2015]. Osteoporos Int. doi: 10.1007/s00198-015-3290-z.