Breaking--bad news: women's experiences of fractures at midlife

OBJECTIVE: To gain understanding of the experiences and sequelae of fractures in women aged 40-65 years and to assess whether it is linked to overall bone health assessment. METHOD: A qualitative study using face-to-face indepth interviews. FINDINGS: Contrary to the common belief that fractures are benign, for middle-aged women, fractures have a significant impact on their well-being in both the short and long-term. Women report significant pain as well as an immediate need for help from family and professional caregivers. They experience interruptions to daily and leisure activities, employment, daily life and mobility. Only a minority of women and/or their family physicians initiated follow up to investigate bone health subsequent to the fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Bone health is often examined in the context of already established bone disease. This study suggests a need for a closer examination of fracture treatment in the context of preventive care, and early detection of osteoporosis.