Determinants of bone health in elderly Japanese men: study design and key findings of the Fujiwara-kyo Osteoporosis Risk in Men (FORMEN) cohort study

• Main Authors: Yuki Fujita, Junko Tamaki, Katsuyasu Kouda, Akiko Yura, Yuho Sato, Takahiro Tachiki, Masami Hamada, Etsuko Kajita, Kuniyasu Kamiya, Kazuki Kaji, Koji Tsuda, Kumiko Ohara, Jong-Seong Moon, Jun Kitagawa, Masayuki Iki, the FORMEN study group
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021-04-01
• Series: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
• Subjects: Bone mineral density; Bone-multiorgan crosstalk; Bone turnover marker; Community-dwelling Japanese elderly men; Death; Fracture
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-021-00972-y
• ISSN: 1342-078X; 1347-4715

Abstract Background The Fujiwara-kyo Osteoporosis Risk in Men (FORMEN) study was launched to investigate risk factors for osteoporotic fractures, interactions of osteoporosis with other non-communicable chronic diseases, and effects of fracture on QOL and mortality. Methods FORMEN baseline study participants (in 2007 and 2008) included 2012 community-dwelling men (aged 65–93 years) in Nara prefecture, Japan. Clinical follow-up surveys were conducted 5 and 10 years after the baseline survey, and 1539 and 906 men completed them, respectively. Supplemental mail, telephone, and visit surveys were conducted with non-participants to obtain outcome information. Survival and fracture outcomes were determined for 2006 men, with 566 deaths identified and 1233 men remaining in the cohort at 10-year follow-up. Comments The baseline survey covered a wide range of bone health-related indices including bone mineral density, trabecular microarchitecture assessment, vertebral imaging for detecting vertebral fractures, and biochemical markers of bone turnover, as well as comprehensive geriatric assessment items. Follow-up surveys were conducted to obtain outcomes including osteoporotic fracture, cardiovascular diseases, initiation of long-term care, and mortality. A complete list of publications relating to the FORMEN study can be found at https://www.med.kindai.ac.jp/pubheal/FORMEN/Publications.html .