Low fractional calcium absorption increases the risk for hip fracture in women with low calcium intake. Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group.

BACKGROUND

Decreased ability to absorb calcium with age limits adaptation to low calcium intake and is thought to lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased risk for hip and other fractures. However, the associations between fractional calcium absorption, dietary calcium intake, and risk for fracture have never been studied.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether low fractional calcium absorption in women with low calcium intake increases the risk for subsequent hip and other nonspine fractures.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Four clinical centers in Baltimore County, Maryland; Portland, Oregon; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and the Monongahela Valley, Pennsylvania.

PARTICIPANTS

5452 nonblack women 69 years of age or older participating in the fourth examination of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

MEASUREMENTS

Fractional calcium absorption was measured by using a 3-hour single isotope (45Ca) technique. Incident fractures were identified prospectively and were confirmed by radiographic report.

RESULTS

During an average of 4.8 years, 729 women (13%) experienced at least one nonspine fracture; 153 of these women had hip fractures. After adjustment for age, women with lower fractional calcium absorption were at increased risk for hip fracture (relative risk per 1-SD [7.7%] decrease in fractional calcium absorption, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.48]). Women with low fractional calcium absorption and low calcium intake were at greatest risk for subsequent hip fracture; among women whose dietary calcium intake was less than 400 mg/d, those who had fractional calcium absorption at or below the median value of 32.3% had a 2.5-fold (CI, 1.29-fold to 4.69-fold) increase in risk for hip fracture compared with those who had greater absorption efficiency. Fractional calcium absorption was not related to risk for other nonspine fractures (relative risk per 1-SD [7.7%] decrease in fractional calcium absorption, 1.05 [CI, 0.96 to 1.14]).

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly women, low fractional calcium absorption in the setting of low calcium intake increases the risk for hip fracture. Our findings support the hypothesis of type II osteoporosis, which postulates that decreased calcium absorption is an important risk factor for hip fracture in older persons.