[Hormonal and metabolic causes of muscular weakness and the increased risk of fractures in elderly people].
The increased risk of fractures in elderly people is due not only to a decrease in bone mass and bone quality but also to an increased risk of falling. The increased risk of falling is partly a consequence of muscular weakness caused by a decrease in both muscular mass and strength (sarcopenia), in which the hormonal changes that are typical of aging play a pivotal role, as well as of malnutrition, in particular a deficiency of protein, amino acids, calcium and vitamin D. Measures that limit the risk of falling and fractures due to muscular weakness consist mainly of adequate nutrition, extra calcium and vitamin D, reduction of the factors that increase the risk of falling, weight-bearing exercise to strengthen the muscles and the use of hip protectors. Hormonal suppletion has not yet been shown to have a favourable effect, whereas the disadvantages appear to be substantial.
Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman
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AC
Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, afd. Inwendige Geneeskunde, Postbus 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht. a.kruseman@intmed.unimaas.nl
van der Klauv
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MM
Pijpers
E
E
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium