Risk Factors of Frailty in Patients with Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for the incidence of frailty in patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs). Methods In total, 116 patients (mean age, 66.3 ± 7.7 years) with DRFs were recruited. The participants were categorized into two groups, “frail” and “non-frail,” according to the presence or absence of frailty, respectively. The areal bone mineral densities (aBMDs) of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The participants’ levels of resilience, depression, anxiety, nutritional intake, oral health-related quality of life, and social support were evaluated by self-reported questionnaires. The participants’ grip strength, gait speed, number of teeth present in their oral cavities, circumference of their upper arms and calves, and serum levels of vitamin D were also assessed. Results The participants in the “frail” group seemed to have lower aBMDs and muscle function and mass than those in the “non-frail” group. There were significant differences in grip strength, calf circumference, gait speed, and aBMD of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine between the groups. There were also significant differences in the levels of resilience and depression between the groups. A multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that levels of sarcopenia, malnutritional status, and aBMDs of the total hip and femoral neck had significant relationships with the development of frailty in patients with DRFs. Conclusions An interdisciplinary approach involving the management of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, oral health, social relationships, and psychological support would be required for the proper management of DRF patients in preventing frailty.

Associations between oral health status and risk of fractures in elder adults

“…Furthermore, the link between oral health status and skeletal BMD has also been discussed 7 , 9 , 12 – 16 , 22 . Finally, poor oral health can result in increased physical frailty, disability, and mortality rate 5 , 6 , 11 , 18 , 21 . Diverse dental problems in the elderly can result in chewing difficulties which contribute to the changes in food selection that may ultimately result in malnutrition and low bone and muscle mass 20 , 23 .…”

Quantitative Ultrasound and Bone Health in Elderly People, a Systematic Review

“…Although it has been considered a potential method for the detection and diagnosis of osteoporosis in the elderly [ 9 ], QUS has less diagnostic accuracy than DXA, as it uses a simplified physical model of sound propagation in bone [ 16 ]. QUS has proven to be a promising non-invasive classification tool in the evaluation of osteoporosis [ 17 ].…”