Risk Factors for Fracture in Alcohol-dependent, Pre-menopausal Females

  • Nicholas R Fuggle University of Southampton
  • Joseph Singer Victoria University of Wellington
  • Michael A. Clynes University of Southampton
  • Beth Curtis University of Southampton
  • Pallavi Wyawahare Victoria University of Wellington
  • Hayley J. Denison Victoria University of Wellington
  • Moira Gilmour Capital and Coast District Health Board and Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
  • Geoff Robinson Capital and Coast District Health Board and Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
  • Elaine M. Dennison University of Southampton
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.251
Keywords: bone, alcohol, turnover, fracture, risk factor, lifestyle

Abstract

Aims: Alcoholism is known to be associated with increased risk of fracture. This study aimed to study bone turnover following alcohol detoxification and to investigate lifestyle factors for low bone density that might coexist with alcohol dependency, which might be amenable to modification.
Method: Pre-menopausal female participants were recruited from an alcohol-use dependency unit to a cross-sectional study. A lifestyle questionnaire, including alcohol history, smoking, physical activity, dietary calcium intake, falls, and fracture history was completed. Quantitative heel ultrasonography was performed and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS), t score, and z score were recorded. Blood was taken for bone-turnover markers at baseline and day 5 following admission for alcohol withdrawal.
Results: The mean age (SD) of alcohol dependent participants was 41.6 (8.3) years, with participants reporting high levels of current cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and falls. BUA, SOS, t scores, and z scores were lower than the age-matched reference range in alcohol-dependent participants. Levels of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) increased significantly after five days (p < .001).
Conclusions: Alcohol-dependent, pre-menopausal individuals have multiple risk factors for fracture, beyond alcohol excess. These should be addressed and targeted as modification may reduce fracture risk, especially given the apparent recovery of bone turnover on the withdrawal of alcohol.

Author Biographies

Nicholas R Fuggle, University of Southampton
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Joseph Singer, Victoria University of Wellington
School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Michael A. Clynes, University of Southampton
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Beth Curtis, University of Southampton
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Pallavi Wyawahare, Victoria University of Wellington
School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Hayley J. Denison, Victoria University of Wellington
School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Moira Gilmour, Capital and Coast District Health Board and Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
Capital and Coast District Health Board and Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
Geoff Robinson, Capital and Coast District Health Board and Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
Capital and Coast District Health Board and Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
Elaine M. Dennison, University of Southampton
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Published
2018-11-06
How to Cite
Fuggle, N. R., Singer, J., Clynes, M. A., Curtis, B., Wyawahare, P., Denison, H. J., Gilmour, M., Robinson, G., & Dennison, E. M. (2018). Risk Factors for Fracture in Alcohol-dependent, Pre-menopausal Females. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 7(2), 2-7. https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.251
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2018)
Section
Papers

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