Hormone therapy and risk of non-vertebral fracture: Geelong Osteoporosis Study

Byline: Julie A. Pasco (1), Mark A. Kotowicz (1), Margaret J. Henry (1), Kerrie M. Sanders (1), Ego Seeman (2), Geoffrey C. Nicholson (1) Keywords: Bone mineral density; Fracture; Hormone therapy; Population-based study; Postmenopausal women Abstract: In this population-based study, we evaluated the association between exposure to hormone therapy (HT), bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of non-vertebral fractures. The study was set in a region located in southeastern Australia where complete fracture ascertainment was determined from radiological reports. Current HT use for at least 6 months was ascertained in women with non-vertebral fractures [median age 70.9 years inter-quartile range (IQR) 66.5--75.9 years] and randomly selected controls (median age 70.8 years IQR 65.2--75.0 years). Current HT use was documented in 20 of 262 cases and 49 of 364 controls. The odds ratio (OR) for non-vertebral fracture associated with HT use was 0.53 (95% CI 0.31--0.92). HT use was associated with 2.6--7.5% higher BMD at axial and appendicular sites. HT use is associated with a halving of risk for non-vertebral fractures and higher BMD. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, P.O. Box 281, 3220, Geelong, Australia (2) Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia Article History: Registration Date: 10/12/2003 Received Date: 25/04/2003 Accepted Date: 08/12/2003 Online Date: 14/02/2004