Association of Obesity with Forearm Fractures, Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk (FRAX®) During Postmenopausal Period

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association among obesity with bone mineral density (BMD) and subsequent fracture risk among postmenopausal women with a previous forearm fracture. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled obese (n=40) and normal-weight (n=40) postmenopausal women who had a previous forearm fracture. BMD measurements were obtained using a GE-LUNAR DPX dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan for all subjects. FRAX® fracture risk scores were calculated taking into account former fractures and current risk factors of the subjects. Both groups were compared with respect to their BMD values, T scores, FRAX® risk scores and frequency of previous fractures. Results: No difference was observed between groups with regard to mean age, mean age of menopause onset and mean serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels (p>0.05 for all). Statistically, obese patients showed highly significantly greater mean BMD values at lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck in comparison to subjects with normal body weight (p=0.000 for all). Obese patients had a lower 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture on average as determined by FRAX® fracture risk score compared to that in normal-weight subjects (p