Threefold increased risk of hip fractures with rheumatoid arthritis in Central Finland

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the incidence of hip fractures. METHODS All patients with acute hip fractures admitted to Jyväskylä Central Hospital in 1991–93 (n=517) were selected from the hospital discharge register. Medical records of these patients were studied retrospectively for RA fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association criteria. The prevalence of RA in patients with hip fractures was compared with the prevalence rates of RA obtained from the nearby city of Tampere. RESULTS 29 (5.6%; 95% CI 3.8 to 8.0) of the patients with hip fracture in Jyväskylä Central Hospital had RA. The age and sex adjusted risk of hip fractures was increased by RA (risk ratio 3.26; 95% CI 2.26 to 4.70). CONCLUSIONS Patients with RA are at increased risk of osteoporotic hip fractures.