RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroid therapy and hip fracture. JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO Ann Rheum Dis FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism SP 49 OP 52 DO 10.1136/ard.54.1.49 VO 54 IS 1 A1 C Cooper A1 C Coupland A1 M Mitchell YR 1995 UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/54/1/49.abstract AB OBJECTIVE--To identify the risk of hip fracture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and those taking corticosteroids. METHODS--In a population based case-control study, we compared 300 consecutive patients with hip fracture aged 50 years and over from a defined district and 600 age and sex matched community controls. RESULTS--The risk of hip fracture was increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (odds ratio (OR) 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 4.7) and those receiving corticosteroids (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.2 to 5.8). The risk attributable to rheumatoid arthritis was markedly reduced by adjusting for functional impairment, while that for steroid use remained after adjusting for body mass index, smoking, alcohol, and functional status. CONCLUSIONS--Hip fracture risk is approximately doubled amongst patients with rheumatoid arthritis and among those taking steroids. These risk increases are, to some extent, independent of each other. In rheumatoid arthritis, the risk was most closely associated with functional impairment, whereas steroid use did not appear to be confounded by this variable.