Evidence based interventions can prevent fractures in elderly people

doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7406.0-e

BMJ 2003;327 (12 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7406.0-e

Evidence based interventions can prevent fractures in elderly people

Fractures among elderly people represent an important and preventable public health problem. In a clinical review on the topic, Woolfand Akesson (p 89) state that prevention of fractures involvesreducing falls, minimising the morbidity associated with falls,and maximising bone strength at all ages. Pharmacological treatmentis most cost effective for people at high risk: women, peopleover 75 years old, and elderly patients with osteoporosis or previous falls. Frailty and comorbidity are also associatedwith risk of fractures. The authors outline a selective casefinding approach to help clinicians recognise and treat elderlypatients at risk.