Fracture prevention falling short

TAMPERE, Finland, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Lowering the rate of fractures in the elderly depends on general practitioners helping to lower the number of falls, Finnish doctors suggest.

Dr. Teppo Jarvinen of the Tampere University Hospital in Finland says current fracture prevention methods are seriously limited when they focus on screening for osteoporosis and treating it with drugs.

The researchers say 80 percent of hip fractures would still occur even if the entire high risk population of women over age 80 were taking osteoporosis drugs, because eight in 10 fractures occur in people who do not even have osteoporosis.

In an article published in the British Medical Journal, the Finnish doctors advise general practitioners to identify at-risk individuals, assess their needs and help them implement current evidence-based recommendations to prevent falls. These include regular strength and balance training, taking vitamin D and calcium supplements and an assessment of the possible hazards in their homes.

Studies show fall prevention efforts can reduce the incidence of falls by up to 50 percent in the elderly, Jarvinen says.