Project CEMAPRE internal
| Title | Bone Geometry, Physical Activity and Bone Mass at Fracture-Critical Bone Regions of Proximal Femur |
| Participants | Fátima Baptista, Kathleen F Janz, Lurdes M. Rebocho, Nicoletta Rosati (Principal Investigator), Vera Zymbal |
| Summary | Hip fractures in elderly people represent a common cause of institutionalization and hospitalization with high personal and social costs. Along with falling, these fractures are associated with the amount and distribution of bone mineral mass and the geometry of the whole bone. These characteristics of bone are important determinants of bone strength and major risk factors for neck and trochanteric fractures, the two main types of hip fractures. Trochanteric fractures appear to be most closely associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD), while neck fractures are associated with reduced BMD and geometry of the proximal femur and pelvic area. Bone mass and geometry are both influenced by physical activity (PA). Pelvis and proximal femur geometry may determine how impact and muscle forces associated with PA are distributed through the hip. Bone mass distribution dissimilarities at the proximal femur may lead to propensity to a particular type of fracture. The purpose of this study is to quantify associations among geometric characteristics of the pelvis-proximal femur structure, BMD, and bone mass distribution of the fracture-critical bone regions of proximal femur (i.e., neck and trochanter). We also examine the contribution of PA to these associations. To ensure levels of PA high enough to influence bone parameters and healthy bone adaptation, young adults are studied. |