Longitudinal associations between changes in bone mechanical strength and fracture risk estimated by μ FRAC
Authors' conclusion
We demonstrated $\mu $FRAC is sensitive to changes in fracture risk driven by declines in bone quality in aging adults.
Study context
- Population
- Participants from a longitudinal population study (70.2% female); mean age 53.8 ± 15.4 years; HR-pQCT of distal radius and tibia70.2% female
- Participants
- 601 participants
- Exposure
- Quartiles of absolute change in tibia bone strength between visits
- Outcome
- Change in μFRAC 5-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture in relation to change in tibia bone strength
- Follow-up
- Average 6.8 ± 1.8 years
Methodological detailspopulation-based, HR-pQCT at 2 visits, 3-10 years apart, Differences between quartiles assessed with Mann-Whitney U test and standardized response mean (SRM)
- Population-based
- HR-pQCT at 2 visits, 3-10 years apart
- Differences between quartiles assessed with Mann-Whitney U test and standardized response mean (SRM)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Absolute annualized change in μFRAC risk by quartile of bone strength change
Greatest changes in individuals with the largest differences in bone strength (SRM)
0.73-0.78
Least change in individuals with minimal changes in bone strength (SRM)
0.07-0.21
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Age- and sex-specific annualized change in fracture risk by decade
- Greatest annualized changes in fracture risk in menopausal females (40-60 years) and older adults (70+ years), aligned with established patterns of bone aging
Original publication
Longitudinal associations between changes in bone mechanical strength and fracture risk estimated by μ FRAC. J Bone Miner Res. Published 18 August 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →