Can a risk factor questionnaire for osteoporosis and functional tests predict low bone mineral density or falls in patients with a distal radius fracture?

In a prospective cohort study, 141 patients with a recent radius fracture [135 women (66±9.2 years) and six men (72±6.3 years)] were studied using bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, a risk factor questionnaire, a fall diary, functional tests of dynamic and static balance, and a one-leg rise from a chair test. The mean BMD T-score was −1.97. The results of the one-leg rise test were significantly associated with dynamic and static balance, but none of the functional tests was associated with the number of falls. Forty of 117 patients fell prospectively, 77 of them did not. Decreased height and cigarette smoking were the only risk factors, which significantly predicted low BMD. All risk factors were estimated to explain osteopenia and osteoporosis to an extent of 27%. The functional tests and the risk factor questionnaire seem to be of limited value for identifying people with a radius fracture who are at risk of falling or to have early osteoporosis. If functional tests on musculoskeletal function are considered for older and more frail, the one-leg rise test may be sufficient.