Hearing loss but not bone-regulating hormones predicts fractures in older women:​ a 17-year follow-up of the Gothenburg BEDA study

Dotevall, A.; Barrenäs, M.-L.; Landin-Wilhelmsen, K.

Affiliations

¹Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

²Department of Physiology at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract and keywords

Summary: High-frequency hearing loss and S-Ca, but not hormones related to bone structure and strength, or lifestyle factors, predicted incident fractures during 17 years of follow-up in women up to 97 years of age.

Introduction: The fracture risk increases and inner ear function deteriorates with increasing age. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hearing loss was of greater importance than bone-regulating hormones for the risk of fracture in elderly women.

Methods: In 1997, a random population sample of 63–82-year-old women, n = 552, underwent a physical examination, audiometry and blood sampling for analyses of serum albumin-adjusted calcium (S-Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) vitamin D and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Data on medication, lifestyle, previous fractures, hearing, vision and dizziness were obtained using questionnaires. Data on subsequent fractures were retrieved, and censored at death, through December 2013.

Results: In 1997, 228 women (41%) reported a previous fracture, most commonly of the wrist (18%). During the following 17 years, 323 fractures occurred in 207 women (38%). Hip fractures were the most frequent, in 96 women (17%). In a Cox regression analysis adjusted for age and previous fractures, hearing loss, reflected by a high pure tone average ≥ 59 dB, almost doubled the risk of a subsequent fracture (hazard ratio (HR) 1.81, 95% CI 1.25; 2.61, p = 0.002). S-Ca (HR 1.21 (1.02; 1.44) p = 0.028) also predicted future fractures, whereas PTH, IGF-1, 25(OH) vitamin D, hormone replacement therapy, smoking, degree of physical activity, impaired vision and dizziness did not.

Conclusion: Hearing loss and higher S-Ca, but not bone-regulating hormones, medication or lifestyle factors predicted incident fractures, mainly caused by falling, during 17 years of follow-up in women up to 97 years of age.

Keywords: Hearing loss; Hormones; Calcium; Fracture; Women

Links

DOI: 10.1007/s00198-019-05204-2

PubMed: 31720709

WoS: 000496218000001

History

Received: 2019-06-04

Accepted: 2019-10-21

Online: 2019-11-13

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