Prevalent osteoporotic fractures in 622 obese and non- obese menopausal women

Hypothesis. The osteoporotic fractures represent a worldwide economical issue. In order to prevent them, we need to understand the risk factors constellation. Although obesity was traditionally considered as protective against osteoporosis, recent data exposed an increased risk of falling and thus a high risk of some fractures. Objective. We aimed to analyze the body mass index (BMI) in relationship with the bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalent fractures. Methods and Results. Between 2008 and 2014, a cross-sectional observational study included Romanian menopausal Caucasian women without a previous diagnosis of bone maladies, or specific anti-osteoporotic therapy. Prevalent fragility fractures were both self-declared and incidental vertebral. All the subjects had lumbar BMD (GE Lunar Prodigy DXA machine). Out of 622 females (mean age of 58.65 years, mean BMI of 30.30 kg/ m2), 39.22% were obese (BMI ≥ 30kg/ m2). The fracture prevalence was 1.35% versus 1.67% in obese versus non-obese patients. The correlation coefficient between lumbar BMD and BMI was r=0.165, p<0.005. BMI in the fracture group was 31.68 kg/ m2 vs. 30.04 kg/ m2 in the non-fracture group (p=0.08). 15.91% of the entire cohort had prevalent fractures. Obesity prevalence among females with fractures was 30.3% versus 40.73% in the non-fracture group. The most frequent sites were distal forearm (42.42%) and vertebral (21.21%). Discussions & Conclusions. Although the vertebral fractures might be underdiagnosed in our study and despite the fact that we enrolled a relatively young menopausal population, BMI positively correlated with BMD, regardless of the fractures' prevalence. In early menopause, the most frequent fracture is distal forearm. BMI is higher in patients with prevalent fractures vs. non-fractures (borderline significance). Obesity might not protect from any type of fracture but future evidence is necessary since one third of osteoporotic fractures are met in women with a BMI ≥ 30kg/ m2.