Self-reported diseases and the risk of non-vertebral fractures: the Tromsø study

We wanted to estimate the independent fracture risk associated with chronic diseases for men and women separately, adjusting for other known risk factors. This is a population-based study of all those who attended the fourth survey (1994–1995) in the Tromsø Study ( n =27,159) who were followed until 31 December 2000 with respect to non-vertebral fractures. At baseline the age range was 25–98 years. Chronic disease cases were defined by self-report in questionnaires. All non-vertebral fractures were registered by computerized search in radiographic archives in the sole provider of radiographic service in the area. A total of 446 and 803 non-vertebral fractures were registered among men and women, respectively. Self-reported diabetes mellitus, stroke, asthma, hypo- and hyperthyroidism and psychiatric disorders were associated with increased fracture risk. Multivariate analyses showed an independent risk of fractures associated with self-reported diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and psychiatric disorders among men. Among women the independent risk was associated with self-reported asthma, hypo- and hyperthyroidism and psychiatric disorders. Self-reported heart disease had a protective effect on wrist fracture, especially in women. Increased burden of chronic diseases increase the risk of all non-vertebral ( P <0.0001), wrist ( P =0.005), proximal humerus ( P =0.0004) and hip fracture ( P =0.0002) in men, and for the proximal humerus ( P =0.003) and hip fracture ( P =0.04) in women. There was an independent fracture risk associated with self-reported diabetes mellitus, asthma, hypo- and hyperthyroidism and psychiatric disorders in men and women. Increasing burden of disease increased fracture risk in both men and women.