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Features of the metabolic syndrome and the risk of non-vertebral fractures: The Tromsø study

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An Erratum to this article was published on 31 January 2009

Abstract

Introduction

We wanted to examine whether the features of the metabolic syndrome carried an increased risk of non-vertebral fracture.

Methods

This is a population-based, 6-year follow-up of 27,159 subjects from the municipality of Tromsø, followed from 1994 until 2001. Age range was 25–98 years. Non-fasting serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides and glucose, blood pressure (BP), weight and height were measured at baseline. All non-vertebral fractures were registered by computerised search in radiographic archives.

Results

A total of 1,249 non-vertebral fractures were registered. Increasing number of metabolic syndrome features was associated with significantly reduced fracture risk in both men and women, p= 0.004 and p<0.0001, respectively. High BP was protective against fracture in men [relative risk (RR) 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8–0.99)] while increased body mass index (BMI) was protective in women (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.84–0.98). Increasing non-fasting serum levels of HDL increased fracture risk in women (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.05–1.21). BMI modified the effect of HDL in men. Accordingly, high HDL increased fracture risk in men with high BMI (RR 1.51; 95% CI 1.2–1.9).

Conclusions

Increasing burden of metabolic syndrome features protects against non-vertebral fractures. Reduced non-vertebral fracture risk was associated with high BP in men and increased body mass in women. Lower non-fasting serum levels of HDL protect against fractures in women and obese men.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9037, Tromsø, Norway

    L. A. Ahmed, L. A. Ahmed, H. Schirmer, G. K. Berntsen & V. Fønnebø

  2. Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    H. Schirmer

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    R. M. Joakimsen

Authors
  1. L. A. Ahmed
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  2. H. Schirmer
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  3. G. K. Berntsen
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  4. V. Fønnebø
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  5. R. M. Joakimsen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. A. Ahmed.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-0847-8.

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Ahmed, L.A., Schirmer, H., Berntsen, G.K. et al. Features of the metabolic syndrome and the risk of non-vertebral fractures: The Tromsø study. Osteoporos Int 17, 426–432 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-0003-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-0003-z

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