title: Fracture Risk and Risk Factors for Osteoporosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the population ages, diseases of the elderly are becoming more common, including osteoporosis. Ways to assess the risk of fracture and the distribution and effects of known risk factors for osteoporosis will be important in planning for future healthcare needs, as well as in the development of preventive strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 6029 men and women aged 20-90 who underwent examination in the second follow-up wave of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-2) or in the basal SHIP-Trend Study. The risk of fracture was estimated on the basis of quantitative ultrasonography of the calcaneus. Prior fractures and risk factors for osteoporosis were ascertained in standardized interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  4.6% of the male subjects and 10.6% of the female subjects were judged to have an elevated risk of fracture. The corresponding percentages among subjects over age 65 were 8.8% for men and 28.2% for women. Even among subjects under age 55, risk factors for osteoporosis were associated with lower bone stiffness: the mean stiffness index was 103/98 (men/women) without risk factors, 99/96 with one risk factor, and 93/95 with more than one risk factor. Logistic regression analysis yielded an odds ratio of 1.89 (95% confidence interval: 1.44-2.50; p<0.01) for prevalent fractures among subjects aged 75 and older compared to subjects under age 55.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data indicate a high prevalence of osteoporosis from age 65 onward. These findings are consistent with those of other studies from Germany and across Europe. Younger men and women should already begin taking steps to counteract modifiable risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Institute for Community Medicine, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Department of Internal Medicine I, Klinikum Südstadt, Rostock.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schürer
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wallaschofski
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nauck
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Völzke
authors.forename: Hans-Christof
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hannemann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016387:Women's Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult