Endocrinology · 3 h ago
Intrinsic capacity impairments linked to higher fracture risk estimates in older women
A clinic-based observational study of 200 postmenopausal women found that a greater number of impaired intrinsic-capacity domains was associated with higher 10-year FRAX estimates for major osteoporotic fracture. The findings suggest that functional measures may complement bone-density assessment, but do not establish that intrinsic-capacity testing improves prediction of actual fractures.
- More impaired domains correlated with higher FRAX estimates.
- Nearly all participants had multiple domain impairments.
- Findings do not establish improved prediction of actual fractures.
Researchers assessed five intrinsic-capacity domains—cognition, locomotion, vitality, psychological well-being and sensory function—in 200 postmenopausal women attending an outpatient osteometabolic clinic. Mean age was 68.1 years, and 195 participants (97.5%) had impairment in more than one domain. Fracture risk was estimated with FRAX; bone mineral density was measured by DXA.
The number of impaired domains correlated with 10-year estimated probability of major osteoporotic fracture (r=0.392; p<0.001). Preserved vision was associated with lower prevalence of fragility fractures (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.07–0.93). Hearing loss, malnutrition and limited mobility were independently associated with high estimated fracture risk; limited mobility was also associated with lower lumbar-spine BMD.
The findings support exploring functional health measures as complements to conventional fracture-risk assessment. However, this outpatient sample was small and consisted only of postmenopausal women; the reported risk estimates were based on FRAX, and the study does not show that intrinsic-capacity assessment improves prediction of future fractures or changes clinical outcomes.
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Osteoporosis International: Intrinsic capacity is associated with fracture risk in older women with osteoporosis ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.