Newswise — Scientists from The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have assessed the level at which a bone breakage can result in premature demise and developed an openly accessible instrument that medical professionals and individuals can utilize to estimate the danger.
The study, titled 'Skeletal Age,' examining the influence of fractures on mortality, has recently been released in the esteemed scientific journal, eLife.
During the examination of over 1.6 million adults, the researchers observed a correlation between bone fractures and a reduction in life expectancy ranging from one to seven years. The extent of this impact varied based on factors such as gender, age, and the specific location of the fracture.
Building upon this finding and previous investigations carried out by Professors John Eisman, Tuan Nguyen, and Jacqueline Center at the Garvan Institute, the scientists formulated the notion of 'Skeletal Age' as a fresh metric for evaluating the influence of fractures on mortality.
BONEcheck strives to enhance awareness and minimize the likelihood of untimely mortality among individuals with osteoporosis.
According to UTS Distinguished Professor Tuan Nguyen, the leader of the project, patients who experience a hip fracture face a notably elevated risk of premature death. Shockingly, around 30% of these patients pass away within a year following the occurrence of the fracture.
However, the risk of premature death also increases with other types of fractures.
"Despite the fact that a bone fracture can significantly shorten an individual's lifespan, patients who experience such fractures often lack a complete understanding of this reality," he remarked.
The primary objective of the Skeletal Age tool is to offer patients a more comprehensive comprehension of the risks linked to bone fractures by quantifying the average decrease in life expectancy.
Distinguished Professor Nguyen emphasized, "By enhancing awareness regarding these risks, both medical practitioners and patients are more likely to undertake preventive measures aimed at mitigating the chances of untimely mortality."
Dr. Thach Tran, the co-lead author of the paper, highlighted that the existing communication between doctors and patients regarding fracture risk relies on the utilization of probability.
"The Skeletal Age tool presents an alternative method of conveying fracture risk information to patients. Instead of informing a 60-year-old woman that her risk of death after a hip fracture is 5%, she can be informed that her skeletal age is 65," explained Dr. Thach Tran.
Distinguished Professor Nguyen says the development of the Skeletal Age tool is a major breakthrough in the prevention of premature death associated with osteoporosis.
“With this new tool, doctors and patients can work together to reduce the risk of bone fractures and ensure better bone health for all.”
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