Anxiety Linked With Risk of Fracture in Postmenopausal Women

Scientists analyzed outcomes from anxiety assessments and tests of bone mineral density for 192 postmenopausal women. As reported by a small study, women who are older and have high levels of anxiety than their companions are more prone to have poor bone health that builds the risk of fractures. The study found that women with the most minimal anxiety levels had a 10-year risk of fracture of around 20 percent, in comparison with a 25 percent risk among women with the highest levels of anxiety.

Dr. Antonino Catalano, lead study author of the University Hospital of Messina in Italy, believes that higher levels of anxiety were autonomously from different factors related with low bone mineral thickness and higher risk of fracture. Catalano expressed that their discoveries suggest a conceivable new clinical risk factor for osteoporosis that could be estimated to enhance our capacity to distinguish women in danger for fractures. Globally, an estimate of one in every three women and one in every five men will experience the ill effects of a fracture associated with osteoporosis - diminishing bones that are more fragile and easily cracked, the analysts note in the journal Menopause. Women are especially vulnerable as amid menopause, the body creates less of the hormone estrogen, adding to osteoporosis. Majority of the previous research into associations between osteoporosis and mood disorders has concentrated on whether impairment associated with bone fractures or thinning may add to mental health issues like depression, scientists note. Some past research has additionally connected anxiety disorders to an expanded risk of osteoporosis.

Women in the present study were around 68 years of age and had regularly experienced menopause around two decades sooner. Polls evaluating levels of anxiety addressed a scope of feelings, including restlessness, tension and fear and in addition physical side effects, for example, digestive problems, insomnia, respiratory issues and tension headaches. Levels of anxiety seemed to be affected by advanced age, years since menopause, age at menopause and depressive indications. Generally, 150 members, or 78 percent, already had no less than one past fracture and 87, or about half, had a parent who had encountered a hip fracture. For women who have least levels of anxiety, the 10-year risk of a hip fracture was around 7.2 percent, in comparison with 9.3 percent for women with the elevated levels of anxiety.