A study of male patients with forearm fracture in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Osteoporosis, although considered less common, still occurs in men. We present a cross-sectional study of a group of Northern Ireland men with low-trauma forearm fractures to determine the presence of osteoporosis and screen for secondary causes of low bone mineral density. Male patients aged 30-75 years, presenting with distal forearm fracture in 2000-2001 in Northern Ireland, were identified through a Colles fracture database. A total of 37 subjects consented to have bone mineral density measurements undertaken at the femoral neck, spine and forearm using a Lunar expert bone densitometer. Twenty-seven percent of the men had osteoporosis at the spine, femoral neck or forearm, as defined by a bone mineral density score of less than -2.5. We also found that 49% of patients had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, 27% had low serum testosterone, 14% had abnormal liver function test results, and 14% had raised parathyroid hormone. Only one patient received advice or treatment regarding osteoporosis at the time of fracture. Increased awareness of male osteoporosis and the need for screening for potential secondary causes in this group of patients is required, both at primary and secondary care level.

Vitamin D deficiency in adult fracture patients: prevalence and risk factors

“…In these periods, 50 and 24 % of our patients were deficient, respectively. Wright et al [ 31 ] found in 18/37 (49 %) male patients with a distal forearm fracture living in Northern Ireland a vitamin D deficiency. Of the 49 male patients with a distal forearm fracture in our study, 20 (41 %) were vitamin D deficient.…”

“…These studies found a vitamin D deficiency (serum calcidiol <50 nmol/L) prevalence varying between 22 and 100 % [ 6 – 30 ]. Studies in non-hip or osteoporotic fracture patients found vitamin D prevalences of 13–50 % [ 31 – 36 ].…”

Effects of seasonal vitamin D deficiency and respiratory acidosis on bone metabolism markers in submarine crewmembers during prolonged patrols

“…Submariners are also subjected to prolonged exposure to elevated CO 2 concentrations (ranging be-tween 0.7 and 1.0%) compared with atmospheric air (0.03% CO 2 ). It is common knowledge that breathing of CO 2 excess induces hypercapnia and further deregulation of acid/base homeostasis (3,8,28,35,42). According to the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, a close relationship exists between blood pH, PCO 2 , and HCO 3…”

“…In adults, vitamin D deficiency leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, increases bone turnover, leading to progressive bone loss, and further heightens the risk for osteoporosis (16). Moreover, a recent cross-sectional study performed on a group of Northern Irishmen exhibiting low-trauma forearm fractures showed that vitamin D deficiency may possibly account for mineral density lessening [bone mineral density (BMD) measurements], increasing thereby conditions for further broken bone (42).…”

Evaluation and treatment of osetoporotic distal radius fracture in the elderly patient

“…The role of vitamin D in bone mineralization, growth, and remodeling is well-known and documented [22][23][24]. In a study examining 37 male patients from 30 to 75 years old with distal forearm fractures, 49 % of these had vitamin D insufficiency, defined as serum levels between 20 and 30 ng/mL, or deficiency, defined as serum levels less than 20 ng/mL [25]. Jang et al looked at 104 postmenopausal women treated surgically for DRF, along with 107 age-matched controls.…”