Hip fractures can be fatal: Arthritis foundation

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New Delhi, September 25
Hip fractures can be fatal, says a pilot study by the Arthritis Foundation of India Trust.

A study done in Delhi in July-August on 511 osteoporosis patients above the age of 40 who had hip fractures a year ago showed that almost 10 per cent of them died within a year of this serious injury. Twenty eight per cent of the fracture patients who died were in the age group 40 to 60 while the rest was above the age of 60.

The fact that hip fractures leave patients physically challenged is demonstrated by the fact that nearly 3.13 per cent of the patients were not able to walk despite external support a year after the fracture.

The study showed that almost 33 per cent of the patients needed support or help for routine activities.

Dr Sushil Sharma, Delhi based orthopaedic surgeon and AFI Chairman says that the study was aimed at assessing the survival rate of hip fracture patients a year after the fracture.

�In Europe, osteoporosis happens in older patients whereas in India, it sets in 15 to 20 years earlier. Post one-year hip fracture studies in Europe show that their mortality rate is 20 per cent because osteoporosis sets in at an advanced age.�

Lifestyle interventions, proper intake of calcium, vitamin-D and proteins, exercise, avoidance of certain medications as steroids, judicious use of anti epileptic drugs and avoidance of smoking, tobacco and alcohol can prevent osteoprosis,'' explained Dr Sharma.

The AFI, a member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, has urged the government to set up a national registry for all osteoporosis fractures, which constitute 60 per cent of the total fractures. Dr Sharma said that the constitution of a national registry will enable the government estimate the enormous economic burden of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures on the national exchequer. It will also pave the way for the launch of a national programme for an organised fight against osteoporosis in the `Bone and Joint Decade' (2000-2010), which was declared by WHO in 84 countries, including India.