Osteoporosis-related fractures can be fatal to men compared to women. Studies found out that men have 19 percent chance of death as opposed to women's 13 percent tendency. Further, men had higher risks of subsequent fractures.
Osteoporosis is a condition of having brittle and fragile bone, making them prone to fracture. In the United States alone, there are about 44 million who suffer from osteoporosis, resulting in 2 million bone fractures per annum. In 2005, researchers found out that women aged 65 and above are the most susceptible to osteoporosis and 87 percent of them might suffer a fracture.
According to study author and University of California assistant professor Dr. Alan Zhang, osteoporosis manifests earlier in women. However, they are less likely to suffer consecutive fractures within a span of three years. On the contrary, their male counterpart mostly requires surgery on an initial fracture. Further, there is a higher chance of another fracture within the same three-year duration, WebMD said.
Zhang discussed at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in San Diego that gender affects the risk of osteoporosis-related mortality. He stressed that his study can help doctors in counseling patients after diagnosis of bone fragility. It can also guide patients in their daily regimen after suffering an initial fracture. At any rate, the study result needs peer verification before the medical community can substantiate and back it.
Meanwhile, Dr. Christopher Welsch of The Jackson Clinic made a parallel study about osteoporosis. Welsch revealed some highly disturbing facts about osteoporosis, though. He suggests that patients who suffer a hip fracture have 24 percent mortality rate within the first year. Of these patients, only 15 percent can recover and walk across a room by themselves while 25 percent requires long-term assistance and care.
Welsch also discussed the heightened risk factor for those who smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol excessively, has an unhealthy lifestyle and has a family record of osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency that results from surgery or menopausal stage can also contribute to a potential development of weak bones.
