Association between change in body weight after midlife and risk of hip fracture-the Singapore Chinese Health Study.

ABSTRACT: The relationship between change in body weight and risk of fractures is inconsistent in epidemiologic studies. In this cohort of middle-aged to elderly Chinese in Singapore, compared to stable weight, weight loss ?10 % over an average of 6 years is associated with nearly 40 % increase in risk of hip fracture.Findings on the relationship between change in body weight and risk of hip fracture are inconsistent. In this study, we examined this association among middle-aged and elderly Chinese in Singapore.We used prospective data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population-based cohort of 63,257 Chinese men and women aged 45-74 years at recruitment in 1993-1998. Body weight and height were self-reported at recruitment and reassessed during follow-up interview in 1999-2004. Percent in weight change was computed based on the weight difference over an average of 6 years, and categorized as loss ?10 %, loss 5 to <10 %, loss or gain <5 % (stable weight), gain 5 to <10 %, and gain ?10 %. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied with adjustment for risk factors for hip fracture and body mass index (BMI) reported at follow-up interview.About 12 % experienced weight loss ?10 %, and another 12 % had weight gain ?10 %. After a mean follow-up of 9.0 years, we identified 775 incident hip fractures among 42,149 eligible participants. Compared to stable weight, weight loss ?10 % was associated with 39 % increased risk (hazard ratio 1.39; 95 % confidence interval 1.14, 1.69). Such elevated risk with weight loss ?10 % was observed in both genders and age groups at follow-up (?65 and >65 years) and in those with baseline BMI ?20 kg/m(2).There was no significant association with weight gain.Our findings provide evidence that substantial weight loss is an important risk factor for osteoporotic hip fractures among the middle-aged to elderly Chinese.

SUBMITTER: Dai Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4498249 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature