A study on the use of the FRAX® tool to assess the prevalence and associated factors of fracture risk among older adults in the Outpatient Department of Nakornping Hospital, Chiang Mai
Keywords:
fracture, FRAX®, older adults, prevalence, Nakornping HospitalAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with high fracture risk scores of within 10 years using the FRAX assessment tool in the outpatient department of Nakornping Hospital, Chiang Mai Province.
Method: This study was cross-sectional research. Data were collected through interviews from older adults aged 60 years and over who were visited at the orthopedic outpatient clinic, Nakornping hospital between November 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025, with a total of 283 participants. Convenience sampling was used according to the inclusion criteria. The questionnaire used for interviews consisted of personal information and the fracture assessment using the FRAX® tool. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis.
Results: Among all 283 participants, the majority were female (73.1%), with a mean age of 70.18 ± 7.22 years and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 23 kg/m² (55.1%). Most participants were non-smokers (94.7%) and exercise less than 30 minutes (85.2%). Among this number, 135 participants (47.7%) had FRAX score ≥ 3, indicating a high risk of fracture within 10 years. Factors associated with FRAX scores for high fracture risk were statistically significant, including female gender (adj. OR 13.97, 95% CI 5.74–33.96), age 70 years or older (adj. OR 11.42, 95% CI 5.70–22.88), and a BMI of 23 kg/m2 or higher (adj. OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.08–0.31).
Conclusion: In this study, older adults assessed using the FRAX® tool were found to have a high 10-year risk of fractures. Statistically significant risk factors included being female, aged over 70, and having a body mass index (BMI) above 23 kg/m2
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