Abstract

Extreme low hemoglobin values have been linked to increased risk of fracture at different sites in a small number of studies. However, careful assessment of a clinically relevant cutoff for anemia and cross sectional and longitudinal bone mineral density (BMD) measures is lacking.To determine whether men with anemia were at increased risk of fracture after accounting for bone density and bone loss.Cross-sectional analysis (at visit 3) and prospective analysis (from baseline to visit 3) in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS), a multi-site longitudinal cohort study.6 communities in the U.S.3632 community-dwelling men (>65 years) in MrOS at baseline (2000-2002) who were able to walk without assistance and did not have a hip replacement or fracture and had complete blood counts (CBCs) at visit 3 (2007-2009).Adjudicated spine and non-spine fractures during a median 7.2 years follow up.Analytic baseline characteristics associated with fractures or anemia (Hgb < 12g/dL) were included into multivariable models. Anemia was associated with increased risk of any (HR 1.67; 95% CI 1.26-2.21) and non-spine (HR 1.70; 95% CI 1.25-2.31) fractures. A model including change in BMD slightly attenuated the association with any (HR 1.60; 95% CI 1.20-2.13) and non-spine fractures (HR 1.57; 95% CI 1.14-2.15). Including absolute BMD did not significantly alter the anemia-fracture association. Anemia was not associated with spine fracture.Community-dwelling older men with anemia had a 57-72% increase in non-spine fracture risk independent of bone density and bone loss over time.

View details for DOI 10.1210/jc.2017-00266

View details for PubMedID 28368469