Analysis of controllable risk factors of osteoporotic vertebral fractures

Abstract

Objective To analyze the controlled risk factors of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and determine the clinical value for the management of risk factors. Methods 626 cases of postmenopausal women were selected, age, height, weight and bone mineral density(BMD) of patients were collected.The Tetrax balance test system was used to assess the fall risks.Vertebral changes of patients were evaluated through X ray of thoracolumbar lateral. The clinical data were analyzed and compared between vertebral fracture group and non-vertebral fracture group. Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between vertebral fracture and age, height, weight, body mass index(BMI), the risk of fall, body fat and BMD. Results 328 patients presented with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, while the other 298 cases did not suffer from osteoporotic vertebral fractures. There were 426 vertebral bodies involved. Comparing to non-vertebral fracture group, the vertebral fracture group showed higher age [(68.67±9.29)years vs.(63.04±9.30)years], lower height[(151.10±4.39)cm vs.(154.90±5.86)cm], lower bone mineral density[lumbar spine BMD (0.85±0.16)g/cm2vs.(0.93±0.17)g/cm2, hip spine BMD (0.72±0.18)g/cm2vs.(0.81±0.13)g/cm2], higher body fat [(41.30±5.20)% vs.(36.30±5.90)%] and higher fall risk (41.38±25.79 vs. 36.20±26.22)(P<0.001). While there were no statistical differences in weight and BMI between the two groups, age, height, BMI, body fat, fall risk, lumbar spine and hip BMD were significantly correlated with vertebral fracture (r=0.358, -0.323, 0.169, 0.186, 0.135, -0.398, -0.364, respectively, all P<0.001). Conclusions Decreased bone mineral density, increased age, abdomen fat content and increased fall risk, are the risk factors of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Key words: Osteoporotic fractures; Bone density; Adiposity; Accidental falls