TUESDAY, Sept. 13, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- The influence that genes have on an older person's susceptibility to bone fractures depends on the type of fracture and the person's age, new research reveals.
Researchers in Sweden studied more than 6,000 elderly twins who suffered fractures. More than half of the fractures resulted from osteoporosis.
The study found that variations in each person's genes accounted for less than 20 percent of the difference in overall age-adjusted fracture risk. The influence of genetic factors was much greater for a first hip fracture among people younger than 69 years old, and for those between the ages of 69 and 79 than for people older than 79, according to researchers at Uppsala University Hospital.
"We conclude that the genetic influence on susceptibility to fractures is dependent on type of fracture and age at fracture event," the study authors wrote in the Sept. 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
The findings suggest that genetics may be more important to osteoporosis and fracture risk than previously understood, "especially for early-occurring osteoporotic fractures," the Swedish team note.
But while more investigation into the genetic underpinnings of bone health is warranted, "fracture-prevention efforts at older ages should [still] be focused on lifestyle habits," they say.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Aging offers advice on how to prevent falls and fractures.
