Genetic factors influence bone fracture risk

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A person's genetic make-up may predispose them towards a bone fracture, depending upon their age and the type of fracture.
It's well known that a bone fracture can have a profound impact on independence and quality of life. Now doctors at the Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, reveal that there is a genetic factor involved in susceptibility to bone fracture. They drew data from the Swedish Twin Registry involving several thousand pairs of both identical and non-identical twins.

The findings revealed that genetic variation in liability to fracture varies by type of fracture and age. Less than 20 per cent of the overall risk of fracture is genetically determined. Heritability is considerably greater for first hip fracture before the age of 69 years and between 69 and 79 years than it is for hip fractures occurring after 79 years. These findings suggest that it would be useful to search for genes relevant to fractures occurring in younger age groups. But for older people, it is lifestyle measures and medication which will prevent fractures, regardless of genes.

Source
Archives of Internal Medicine 12th September 2005 Volume 165 pages 1825-1830

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