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Homocysteine Linked to Bone Fractures

April 2005

High homocysteine levels, usually considered a cardiovascular health risk factor, may also play a role in hip fractures in elderly persons. Researchers originally noted an increased prevalence of osteoporosis among people with high levels of homocysteine in the urine. That led them to believe that a high homocysteine concentration may weaken bone, increasing the risk of fracture. Researchers examined the association between total homocysteine concentration and the risk of hip fracture in 825 men and 1,174 women ranging in age from 59 to 91. Participants were divided into four groups, depending on their homocysteine levels. Men in the highest quartile had almost four times the risk of hip fracture as men in the lowest quartile, while women in the top group had 1.9 times the risk. While high homocysteine levels were prevalent in persons with a high risk of hip fracture, scientists weren’t sure if homocysteine is the actual cause of the fractures or if it is associated in another way. Researchers stated, "these findings suggest that the homocysteine concentration, which is easily modifiable by means of dietary intervention, is an important risk factor for hip fracture in older persons."

The New England Journal of Medicine 350(20):2042-2049, 2004

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