Hip Fractures Increased in Rheumatoid Arthritis Save

An analysis of 741,589 patients over age 45 years from southern Swedish registry examined patients who were followed (between 1998 and 2012) until a hip fracture, death or exit from the region occurred. Rheumatoid arthritis (8,467 patients) were compared with osteoarthritis hip (29,706 patients) and OA knee (55,753) patients for risk of hip fracture. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1Lg56R8)

Compared to the general population, the rate of hip fracture was significantly higher in both women (standard fracture rate [SFR)] 1.54) and men (SFR 1.81) with RA and lower in patients with hip OA (SFR 0.61). The rate of trochanteric hip fracture was higher than cervical hip fracture in patients with hip OA. The rate of hip fracture was lower in women with knee OA compared to the general population, but was similar between men with knee OA and the general population. 

An increased of 50-80% in the rate of hip fractures adds to the total burden of RA.