Mandibular cortical bone structure as risk indicator in fractured and non-fractured 80-year-old men and women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between mandibular cortex parameters and fracture in a group of 286 men and women, 79–80 years of age. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study, the mandibular cortex was evaluated with Klemetti’s index for cortical erosion. The cortical thickness was measured with a ruler adjusting for the magnification factor. The odds ratio (OR) for fracture when having a severely eroded cortex or a cortex thickness < 3 mm was calculated. RESULTS: A normal cortex was found in 65% of men, whereas only 7% had a severely eroded cortex. The OR for severely eroded cortex as fracture risk predictor was significant (2.32; 95% CI 1.3–4.2), also when the female group was evaluated separately. A significant difference was found between the mean thickness for men (3.96 mm) and women (2.92 mm), respectively. The OR for cortical thickness < 3 mm was significant (2.00; 95% CI 1.1–3.6) in the total group, but not when men and women were evaluated separately. CONCLUSIONS: Among old women, the cortical parameters were significantly associated with prevalent fracture. In old men, other circumstances may be more important.