Background/Purpose: Fractures
are the major source of morbidity among women with osteoporosis. However, evidence
on factors leading to imminent risk for hip or other non-vertebral fracture
within the next 12 months among women aged ≥65 years with osteoporosis is
limited.

Methods: A
retrospective cohort design and data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures
(SOF)—which includes 20 years of prospectively collected data on osteoporosis
care and outcomes—were employed. The study population comprised all women aged
≥ 65 years in the Caucasian cohort with osteoporosis (T-score ≤
-2.5 at total hip). Hip and other non-vertebral fractures were ascertained over
a 1-year follow-up period. Potential predictors of fracture were evaluated
using multivariate regression models and included anthropometric measures, BMD,
cognitive function, comorbidities, drug use, fracture/fall history, lifestyle
variables, medical symptoms, physical function/performance, quality of life,
and vision status.

Results: The study
population included 2,499 women with osteoporosis who contributed 6,811
observations. During the 1-year follow-up, 2.2% had a hip fracture and 6.6% had
any non-vertebral fracture (including hip). Independent predictors of hip
and/or non-vertebral fracture included impaired cognitive function, total hip T-score,
falls history, fracture history, and lower physical performance (Table).

Conclusion: Imminent
fracture risk within 12 months among osteoporotic women is higher among those with
a history of fracture, history of falls, lower BMD, physical dysfunction, and/or
cognitive dysfunction. Careful consideration should be given to identifying this
population so that those at imminent risk may be targeted for the appropriate
therapy.