Results: A total of 296 women with fracture (12 hip,
48 vertebral, 91 wrist/forearm, 17 upper arm, 7 pelvis,
11 rib, 62 lower leg and 48 other fractures) and 590
women without fracture were included. Associations
between fracture and depression differed between
younger (≤65 years) and older (>65 years) women.
Age and weight-adjusted odds ratio for depression
following fracture among younger women was 0.62
(0.35 to 1.11, p=0.12) and 3.33 (1.24 to 8.98, p=0.02)
for older women. Further adjustment for lifestyle
factors did not affect the results.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that
differences in mood status exist between older and
younger women following fracture and that fracture is
associated with increased depression in older women.
Assessment of mood status in both the short and long
term following fracture in the elderly seems justified,
with early detection and treatment likely to result in
improved outcomes.