International Variations in Quality of Life Loss After Fracture Deciphered by ICUROS Study

The initial quality of life loss following an osteoporotic fracture is substantial, especially with regard to hip and vertebral fractures, a study presented today at the European Congress on Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis currently taking place in Valencia, Spain has found.

The study found differences in quality of life loss between countries after correcting for other explanatory variables.

The quality of life (QoL) of patients who sustained a hip, wrist or vertebral fracture was examined for the four months following the fracture. The study is part of the International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS) which is an international patient-based study endorsed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. ICUROS investigates the costs and health effects of osteoporotic fractures in women and men over the age of fifty. The aim is to gather better information regarding the burden of osteoporosis in the participating countries and worldwide. Currently, eleven countries are involved in ICUROS.

Involving 2,737 patients from nine countries, the study found that quality of life loss over four months was highest for hip fractures, followed by vertebral and wrist fractures. Interestingly, significant variations between countries were identified. Quality of life loss after hip fracture was greatest in Lithuania, followed by Italy, Russia and Mexico. Lower quality of life loss was experienced by hip fracture patients in Austria and Sweden. In all countries in which vertebral fractures were studied, patients who were hospitalized experienced more quality of life loss than those who were not hospitalized following vertebral fracture.

Source: Eurekalert

Fracture

A fracture is a condition where the continuity of the bone is lost. Majority of bone fractures occur because of high force impact or stress on a bone.

Colle’s Fracture

Colles fracture or broken wrist is a wrist fracture, which occurs within an inch of the wrist joint. Colles fracture involves the forearm bone's distal end of the radius.

Broken Nose (Nasal Fracture)

Nasal fracture is a break in the bones and/or the cartilages of the nose. They may be accompanied by displacement of the broken part.

Injuries Related to Sports

Injuries are common in the sporting world. They can be minor like bruises and cuts, serious like fractures and sometimes fatal like head injuries.

Scaphoid Fracture of The Wrist

The scaphoid is a small wrist bone. Scaphoid bone fractures usually occur when a person falls heavily on the palm of an outstretched hand.

Screening for Osteoporosis

The risk of suffering from osteoporotic fractures is 30-50% in women and 15 to 30% in men. Osteoporosis screening is currently recommended for women only.

Tibia (Shinbone) Shaft Fractures

A tibial shaft fracture is an injury that occurs to the tibia, which is one of the long bones of the leg. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis of shinbone are discussed.