Epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures

Patients with vertebral, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus fractures are most common among the osteoporosis-related fractures. The incidences of these fractures increase with age, however, the increase patterns differ between the fracture sites. The prevalence of vertebral fracture for Japanese is similar or slightly higher and the incidences of osteoporosis-related limb fractures are lower than those for Caucacians. A decrease in prevalence of vertebral fractures and an increase in the incidence of limb fractures are the secular trend in Japan. Previous fractures are significant risk factor for both vertebral and hip fractures. Greater physical activity increases the risk of distal radius fractures, and decreases the risk of proximal humerus fractures.