Incidence of and risk factors for clinical fractures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and matched controls: A population-based study in the United Kingdom

I E M Bultink, Nicholas C Harvey, A. Lalmohamed, C. Cooper, W.F. Lems, T.P. Van Staa, F. De Vries

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been associated with an increased risk of low bone mineral density and fractures. However, data on absolute fracture risk and risk factors associated with clinical fractures are very scarce. Objectives To estimate incidence rates of clinical fractures in patients with SLE and relative risks compared with matched controls, and to evaluate risk factors associated with fractures in SLE. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (from 1987 to 2012). Each SLE patient (n=4356) was matched with up to 6 controls (n=21845) by age and sex. Fracture type was stratified according to WHO definitions into osteoporotic (clinical spine, hip, forearm or humerus fracture) and non-osteoporotic fracture. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate relative rates (RR) of fracture, and time interaction terms to evaluate fracture timing patterns. Incidence rates of fractures in SLE patients, stratified by age, gender, type of fracture, disease duration, and therapy variables, were compared with fracture rates in controls. Results Mean age was 46.7 years. Follow-up duration was 6.4 years in SLE patients and 6.6 years in matched controls. Overall, SLE patients had an increased risk of any fracture compared to controls, after adjustment for confounders (adj RR 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.42), and the risk further increased with a longer disease duration. Glucocorticoid (GC) use in the previous six months raised the risk of any fracture (adj RR 1.27; 95% CI 1.02-1.58), but was not further increased with higher cumulative GC exposure. A similar pattern was found for osteoporotic fracture, but did not reach statistical significance (adj RR 1.23; 95% CI 0.91-1.67). Use of antimalarials was not associated with an altered fracture risk. Cerebrovascular events, seizures, and (as expected) previous osteoporotic fractures were identified as significant predictors for any and osteoporotic fractures (Table 1). Conclusions SLE patients in the United Kingdom have an increased risk of clinical fractures compared to age- and sex-matched controls. GC use in the previous six months and longer disease duration are important factors associated with the increased fracture risk in SLE. In addition, special attention should be paid to lupus patients with neuropsychiatric organ damage or a history of osteoporotic fractures since these subgroups of patients are at high risk of the occurrence of (subsequent) fractures. (Table Presented).
Original languageEnglish
JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Volume72
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2013

Keywords

  • glucocorticoid
  • antimalarial agent
  • fracture
  • patient
  • human
  • systemic lupus erythematosus
  • population
  • United Kingdom
  • rheumatology
  • rheumatic disease
  • risk factor
  • risk
  • fragility fracture
  • disease duration
  • incidence
  • hip
  • spine
  • clinical practice
  • confidence interval
  • exposure
  • forearm
  • follow up
  • cohort analysis
  • therapy
  • gender
  • proportional hazards model
  • humerus fracture
  • statistical significance
  • seizure
  • bone density
  • world health organization

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