Reduced risk of hip fracture in the mothers of patients with osteoarthritis of the hip

Abstract

In a population-based study we identified a cohort of 282 women, whose children had been treated for osteoarthritis of the hip. The incidence of hip fracture in these mothers was 0.54 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.83) of that in the whole population of their age and sex. This finding could be explained by a genetic factor for increased rigidity of subchondral bone, making osteoarthritis more likely and osteoporosis less likely.