Likelihood of osteoporotic fracture is not strongly genetically influenced

Genetic factors are known to have a substantial role in explaining age specific variation in bone mass and density, but no previous study has evaluated a potential role in explaining variation in risk of sustaining an osteoporotic fracture, the true end point of the osteoporosis problem. On p 1334 Kannus et al report the concordance rates of these fractures among elderly Finnish monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs in a 25 year prospective follow up of their nationwide twin cohort. The results indicate that genetic factors are weakly related to the likelihood of osteoporotic fracture, particularly in elderly women. They suggest that prevention strategies should include elements such as preventing falls and protecting vulnerable anatomical sites of the body.

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Genetic factors and osteoporotic fractures in elderly people: prospective 25 year follow up of a nationwide cohort of elderly Finnish twins

Pekka Kannus, Mika Palvanen, Jaakko Kaprio, Jari Parkkari, and Markku Koskenvuo
BMJ 1999 319: 1334-1337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]