Association Between Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture and Body Mass Index

Abstract

Study design: Retrospective study. Objectives: Whether osteoporotic vertebral fracture is associated with obesity is under debate. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fracture and body mass index (BMI) by comparing it with other types of osteoporotic fractures. Summary of Literature Review: Several authors have reported the factors that predict the risk of osteoporotic vertebral fracture in individuals with obesity, but the objective risk factors are still controversial. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on postmenopausal women, including 100 people with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, 104 with femur neck fractures, 107 with distal radius fractures, and 103 with osteoporosis or osteopenia but without fractures. The BMI was calculated and bone mineral density (BMD) test was administered within 3 days after injury. For each type of fracture, the relationships with age, height, weight, BMI, and BMD were investigated. The relationship with the number of osteoporotic vertebral fractures according to BMI was also evaluated. Results: In comparing osteoporotic vertebral fractures and osteoporotic non-vertebral fractures, there were no significant differences in the relationship with age, height, or BMD (p>0.05). Osteoporotic vertebral fractures showed a statistically higher average weight and BMI, compared to other osteoporotic non-vertebral fracture groups (p<0.05). Among those with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, the number of fractures did not show a significant relationship with BMI (p=0.177). Conclusions: In osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients, compared to groups with other types of osteoporotic fractures, average weight and BMI were higher.