assessment of refracture rates and associated risk factors among patients with osteoporotic fractures: a cross-sectional study

Background: osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone strength leading to an increased risk for fracture. patients with osteoporotic fractures are at an increased risk for refracture. understanding the crucial importance of preventing recurring fractures to maintain physical activity and improve the quality of life (qol) for individuals with osteoporosis underscores the necessity of precisely examining the factors that contribute to these fractures. objectives: this study evaluates the prevalence and risk factors associated with recurrent osteoporotic fractures, emphasizing the critical importance of targeted interventions for fracture prevention and overall well-being.methods: this observational prospective cohort study focused on patients with osteoporosis-related fractures attending the fracture liaison service (fls) clinic of shafa yahyaeian orthopedic hospital in tehran city, iran, from 2021 to 2023. the hospital is affiliated with iran university of medical sciences. the census-based sampling method included all eligible patients with a history of osteoporotic fractures. demographic and clinical information were collected.results: out of 1532 osteoporotic patients with a fracture history, 282(18.4%) experienced refractures between 2021 and 2023. regression analysis demonstrated that higher age (p=0.005; or=1.033) and female gender (p=0.010; or=0.437) were the only factors significantly associated with refracture (r2=0.040). fracture recency evaluation indicated an mean interval of 2.8±2.5 (range: 0.5-12) years between the last two fractures. furthermore, recurrent fractures after the index fracture occurred in 41% of patients during the first year.conclusion: the prevalence of refracture was 18.4%, with higher age and female gender as independent predictive factors. notably, fracture recency was mainly observed in the first year.