Correlation of quality of life with risk factors for first-incident hip fracture in postmenopausal women

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and risk factors of first-incidence hip fracture in postmenopausal women. Methods: This case–control study included 99 postmenopausal women with first-incident hip fracture and 101 women without hip fracture who were matched according to age. Evaluation consisted of clinical factors, 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for bone mineral density of hip and spine. Results: The mean age of patients with an accidental first-incident hip fracture was 78.0 years. Patients with hip fractures had significantly lower scores for SF-36 domains at enrollment and 4-month follow up compared with the controls. Mental health also deteriorated significantly 4 months after hip fracture. Aside from lower HRQOL, clinical factors, including increased body height, no experience with estrogen therapy, rheumatoid arthritis, use of walking aids, less weight-bearing exercise, and diuretics use, were significant risk factors for hip fracture in univariate analysis. After multivariate adjustment, only the use of walking aids and decreased physical component summary were independent risk factors of hip fracture. Besides aging, use of walking aids, weight-bearing exercise, and psychological medication were the main factors affecting HRQOL when considering their relationship with hip fractures. Conclusion: The occurrence of first-incidence hip fracture is highly associated with HRQOL. Aside from aging, clinical factors affecting HRQOL correlated with hip fracture incidence. Thus, in elderly women, exercise or physical therapy to improve physical function and mental support is crucial and should be considered the most important factors for first-incidence hip fracture prevention.