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Health News Archive 215 - Bone Fracture
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Folate Intake Predicts Homocysteine Level and Fracture Risk

Insufficient folate status in older individuals may cause homocysteinemia, an independent predictor of osteoporotic fracture.

In a study conducted by researchers from University Hospital S. Orsola-Malpighi and Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy, incident osteoporotic fractures were assessed for a mean of four years in 702 Italian test subjects aged 65 to 94 years. Using a multivariable logistic regression model, the researchers examined the relationship between plasma homocysteine, serum folate and serum vitamin B12, and risk of fracture.

Participants in the lowest serum folate quartile had a greater risk of fracture than individuals in higher quartiles, although no dose-related protective effect for increasing serum folate levels was found. No independent association was found for serum vitamin B12.

The researchers concluded folate status is responsible for the association between homocysteine and risk of osteoporotic fracture in elderly persons.

Source: Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 60, 11:1458-62, 2005