Parkinson’s disease carries heightened risk of hip, nonvertebral fractures

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at high risk of hip and nonvertebral fractures, as shown in a recent study.

Researchers conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating the risk of fractures in patients with PD vs non-PD controls. They searched multiple databases and identified 18 studies to be included in the meta-analysis.

Of the studies, 17 (14 cohort and three case-control studies) were included in the hip fracture analysis and nine (all cohorts studies) in the nonvertebral fracture analysis. Study quality was moderate to good according to the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

Using the random-effects model, the researchers pooled data and found that PD patients were more susceptible to fractures compared with non-PD controls. Estimates of relative risk (RR) were 2.40 (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 2.04–2.82) for hip fractures and 1.80 (95 percent CI, 1.60–2.01) for nonvertebral fractures.

Furthermore, the risk of hip fractures associated with PD was more pronounced in men (RR, 2.93, 95 percent CI, 2.05–4.18) than in women (RR, 1.81, 95 percent CI, 1.61–2.04). Study design, geographical region or criteria for diagnosing PD exerted no effect on the estimates of fracture risk.

In light of the present data, the researchers urged a re-evaluation of the clinical guidelines on bone health in patients with PD to address the elevated risks of hip and nonvertebral fractures.