English summary: COMPARISON OF RISK FACTORS IN LOW-ENERGY HUMERAL AND FOREARM FRACTURES IN THE ELDERLY

Background

Risk factors for fractures were compared between patients with forearm fractures and with humeral fractures.

Methods

The population consisted of patients who had been admitted to a hospital due to a fracture of the arm. The inclusion criteria were the following: at least 50 years of age, living at home, a fracture due to falling, and ability to walk at least ten metres without help. There were 152 patients with forearm fractures and 53 with humeral fractures. The analyzed variables were age, gender, ability to walk, depression, body mass index, muscular strength of lower extremities, balance, visual ability, orthostatic dysregulation, bone mineral density, the circumstances of the fall and fear of falling.

Results

Risk factors for fractures were common in both groups. The mean age of patients with humeral fractures was somewhat higher (mean 66.9, SD 9.2) than that of patients with forearm fractures (mean 63.5, SD 9.0). Patients with humeral fractures had a lower bone mineral density in the femoral bone, scored lower on the Berg Balance Scale and were able to stand on one leg for a shorter period than patients with forearm fractures. Walking ten metres and getting up from a chair took longer in humeral fracture patients compared to forearm fracture patients.

Conclusion

Interviews and simple clinical tests can be used to identify risk factors for falls and fractures. The results showed that humeral fracture patients have more risk factors associated with fractures than forearm fracture patients. The results can be used in planning prevention of fractures.