Meadows Lynn M, Mrkonjic Linda A, Lagendyk Laura E, Petersen Kimberly M A
Departments of Family Medicine & Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada.
Women Health. 2004;39(2):47-62. doi: 10.1300/J013v39n02_04.
Past research has established the link between low energy fractures and the risk for future fractures. These fractures are potential markers for investigation of bone health, and may be precursors for osteoporosis. In spite of its significant public health burden, including burden of illness and economic costs, many individuals are not aware of the risk factors for and consequences of osteoporosis. This is a study of women aged 40 and older who experienced low energy fractures (e.g., from non-trauma sources and falls from no higher than standing height). We gathered data, using focus group interviews, about their experiences and understanding of the fractures in relation to bone health. Women often attributed the fractures to particular situations and external events (e.g., slipping on ice, tripping on uneven ground), and viewed the fractures as accidents. Women often felt that others are at risk for poor bone health, but believed that they themselves are different from those really at risk. Although the fractures are potential triggers for preventive efforts, few women connected their fracture to future risk. What is perceived by women (and others) as random and an accident is often a predictable event if underlying risk factors are identified. Only when there is more awareness of poor bone health as a disease process and fractures as markers for bone fragility will women, men and health care providers take action to prevent future fractures and established bone disease.
过去的研究已经证实了低能量骨折与未来骨折风险之间的联系。这些骨折是调查骨骼健康的潜在标志物，可能是骨质疏松症的先兆。尽管骨质疏松症带来了巨大的公共卫生负担，包括疾病负担和经济成本，但许多人并未意识到骨质疏松症的风险因素及后果。这是一项针对40岁及以上经历过低能量骨折（如非创伤性骨折以及从不高于站立高度处摔倒所致骨折）女性的研究。我们通过焦点小组访谈收集了她们关于骨折经历以及对骨折与骨骼健康关系的理解的数据。女性通常将骨折归因于特定情况和外部事件（如在冰上滑倒、在不平地面绊倒），并将骨折视为意外。女性常常觉得其他人有骨骼健康不佳的风险，但认为自己与真正有风险的人不同。尽管这些骨折是预防措施的潜在触发因素，但很少有女性将自己的骨折与未来风险联系起来。如果识别出潜在风险因素，女性（以及其他人）所认为的随机且意外的事件往往是可预测的。只有当人们更加意识到骨骼健康不佳是一种疾病过程，骨折是骨骼脆弱的标志物时，女性、男性和医疗保健提供者才会采取行动预防未来骨折和已确诊的骨骼疾病。
