Effect of co-morbidities on fracture risk: Findings from the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW)

Journal article

Introduction: Greater awareness of the relationship between co-morbidities and fracture risk may improve fracture-prediction algorithms such as FRAX. Materials and methods: We used a large, multinational cohort study (GLOW) to investigate the effect of co-morbidities on fracture risk. Women completed a baseline questionnaire detailing past medical history, including co-morbidity history and fracture. They were re-contacted annually to determine incident clinical fractures. A co-morbidity index, defined as number of baseline co-morbidities, was derived. The effect of adding the co-morbidity index to FRAX risk factors on fracture prevention was examined using chi-squared tests, the May-Hosmer test, c index and comparison of predicted versus observed fracture rates. Results: Of 52,960 women with follow-up data, enrolled between October 2006 and February 2008, 3224 (6.1%) sustained an incident fracture over 2. years. All recorded co-morbidities were significantly associated with fracture, except for high cholesterol, hypertension, celiac disease, and cancer. The strongest association was seen with Parkinson's disease (age-adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.6-3.1; P< 0.001). Co-morbidities that contributed most to fracture prediction in a Cox regression model with FRAX risk factors as additional predictors were: Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis, and heart disease. Conclusion: Co-morbidities, as captured in a co-morbidity index, contributed significantly to fracture risk in this study population. Parkinson's disease carried a particularly high risk of fracture; and increasing co-morbidity index was associated with increasing fracture risk. Addition of co-morbidity index to FRAX risk factors improved fracture prediction. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Authors: Dennison, E; Compston, J; Flahive, J; Siris, E; Gehlbach, S

• Journal: Bone
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1288-1293
• Publication date: 2012-06-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2012.02.639
• ISSN: 8756-3282
• Language: English
• Keywords: Fracture risk; Multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; Co-morbidities; FRAX