Male smokers are disproportionately fractured and more likely to develop osteoporosis, which causes bones to become porous and break easily.
This has been determined by researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The team has analyzed nearly 30,000 fracture cases over the past 30 years, reported in 27 research publications.
According to the experts, smoking increases the risk of fractures – by up to 37 percent, depending on age. For the first time, in addition to hip fractures, which are already sufficiently documented, the experts also took into account fractures of the wrists, shoulders, forearms, femurs, lower legs and spine. ‘Men tend to smoke more than women, which increases their risk of osteoporosis, traditionally thought to be a female disease,’ says research leader Qing Wu.
He theorizes that the chemicals in cigarette smoke negatively affect bone cells and reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D and calcium, which help maintain bone density. In addition, according to Wu, smoking is also considered a risk factor for injuries in general, since there is evidence that nicotine interferes with the tissue repair process, which means it hinders wound healing and the healing of broken bones.
The researchers warn that there is a high risk that the number of fractures due to osteoporosis will continue to increase. Because the population is getting older thanks to medical advances. The risk of porous bones also increases with age. They also refer to older studies, according to which between 21 and 37 percent of male smokers die within a year following fractures. ‘Smoking is the most preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States. Smoking cessation would greatly reduce fracture risk in all smokers, particularly in men,’ it said.
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