Study of Fall and Fracture Risk in Menopausal Women Living in Urban Areas for the Prevention of Osteoporotic Fractures

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether preventive measures against falling, which leads to bone fractures, should be started in the senile stage or peri-menopausal period, when the bone mass decreases markedly. In a total of 395 females aged 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65, we measured bone density of the lumbar spine by DXA, calcaneus bone density by SXA, and they answered a questionnaire regarding their health status during a medical check-up at their public health care center. We conducted a questionnaire survey by mail 2 years after the check-up, and investigated their experiences of falling and bone fractures and the situation in which these incidents happened, and analyzed the occurrence of falling and bone fractures in menopausal women and associated factors. (The number of subjects involved in the analysis was 265.) A total of 23% experienced falls, 3.4% (9 people) occured fractures over the period of 2 years, and no significant difference was noted among the ages. Most falls occurred outdoors, on steps while they were walking. The reasons for falling were mostly related to external factors, such as slipping and tripping. The risk factors associated with falling for menopausal women were a high BMI and body fat percentage, weak grip strength. These results suggest that the prevention of falling in the menopausal period is essential, and that maintaining an appropriate physique and improving bone density and body strength are important measures. It was suggested that the promotion of concrete measures against falling not only for the elderly but also for menopausal women is essential