Predictors of bone loss after hip fracture.

Although accelerated bone mineral density (BMD) loss follows hip fracture, little is known about factors associated with this loss. We examined potential predictors of BMD loss in a cohort of community-dwelling women who had sustained hip fracture and who were followed for 1 year after fracture. BMD was measured at the femoral neck, intertrochanteric region, and total body, during hospitalization and 2, 6, and 12 months later. Demographic, health, lifestyle, clinical, surgical, and functional characteristics at baseline, and postfracture activity were evaluated for associations with baseline BMD and BMD 1 year later. To examine possible BMD-dependent effects, high and low baseline BMD groups were defined. None of the studied factors consistently predicted either baseline BMD or BMD at 1 year after fracture, among women with either high or low baseline BMD. Baseline BMD was the only factor that substantially and consistently predicted change, explaining 70% to 90% of variation. These results suggest that BMD will not be preserved by general rehabilitative measures and that prompt, specific intervention to minimize bone loss after hip fracture is an essential element of clinical management of the hip fracture patient.