Table 5

Risk factors for fractures stratified by diagnosis

Risk factor Crohn's disease Ulcerative colitis
Family fracture history (yes/no)5-151 2.4 (1.4 to 4.1)5-150 1.9 (1.0 to 3.5)
Maternal fracture history (yes/no)1.4 (0.7 to 2.7)2.4 (1.2 to 4.7)5-150
Paternal fracture history (yes/no)3.6 (1.9 to 6.8)5-150 1.2 (0.4 to 3.4)
Ever undergone bowel surgery (yes/no)0.7 (0.4 to 1.3)0.8 (0.4 to 1.8)
Ever used corticosteroids of any type (yes/no)1.6 (0.6 to 4.1)0.8 (0.3 to 2.1)
Ever used corticosteroid enemas only (yes/no)2.7 (0.6 to 13.1)0.5 (0.1 to 1.9)
Current use of calcium supplements (yes/no)1.5 (0.9 to 2.5)2.4 (1.1 to 5.0)5-150
Current use of vitamin D supplements (yes/no)1.9 (1.1 to 3.4)5-150 1.8 (0.6 to 4.9)
Use of oral contraceptives (only females)1.3 (0.6 to 2.8)0.9 (0.3 to 2.4)
Use of HRT after menopause (only females)0.7 (0.2 to 1.9)0.7 (0.1 to 3.9)
Current smoking versus never smoking1.3 (0.6 to 2.8)3.8 (1.9 to 7.8)5-150
Previous smoking versus never smoking1.4 (0.6 to 3.1)1.2 (0.5 to 2.6)
Current alcohol intake (⩾1 drink/week versus <1 drink/week)0.7 (0.4 to 1.2)0.6 (0.3 to 1.1)
Current use of systemic cytostatic agents5-152 (yes/no)1.4 (0.7 to 2.6)1.1 (0.4 to 2.9)
Current use of systemic 5-aminosalicylates5-153(yes/no)1.0 (0.6 to 1.6)1.2 (0.6 to 2.3)
Current use of B12 supplements (yes/no)0.5 (0.2 to 1.4) 5-154
Current use of folic acid supplements (yes/no)0.7 (0.1 to 4.6) 5-154
Current use of iron supplements (yes/no)0.4 (0.1 to 2.3) 5-154
Current use of cholestyramine (yes/no)1.0 (0.4 to 2.5) 5-154
  • The risks are expressed as relative risk (95% confidence interval) adjusted for age and sex. All significant associations were present both in men and women unless otherwise stated. Insignificant associations were insignificant in both sexes.

  • 5-150 p<0.05.

  • 5-151 Reports of at least one previous fracture among either parents or siblings.

  • 5-152 Current systemic therapy with azathioprine or cyclosporin versus no such therapy.

  • 5-153 Current systemic therapy with mesalazine, olsalazine, or sulphasalazine versus no such therapy.

  • 5-154 Too few for analysis.