Relationship between elderly hip fracture and osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between elderly hip fracture and osteoporosis. METHODS: 85 elderly patients with hip fractures were admitted into our hospital from January 2009 to March 2012. Mineral density in bones and the concentration of biochemical markers I collagen such as hydroxy terminal peptide (crosslaps) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) in urine sample of the patients were measured. Another 60 non-hip fracture patients were selected as controls. RESULTS: Bone mineral density from the non-hip-fractured group appeared significantly higher than the hip-fractured group (P < 0.05), while the concentration of crosslaps and DPD in the urine of patients were significantly higher than the normal control group (P < 0.05), suggesting that the patients suffered from osteoporosis were more prone to hip fracture. CONCLUSION: Although the hip fracture in the elderly was generally caused by trauma while factors as bone mineral density, concentration of crosslaps and DPD showed that osteoporosis played an important 'internal'role on hip fractures in the elderly. Attention should be paid to the elderly people with symptoms of osteoporosis and early treatment provided, to prevent hip fracture in this population.