Vertebral Fractures among Patients Referred for Bone Densitometry Screening in Dubai Primary Health Care Facilities.

Anood Jamal Alshaali,Soha Abd El Aziz Abd El Aal,Nahed AbdulKhaleq Monsef,Amal Mohamad AlJaziri,Manal Mohammad Omran Taryam,Tamer Mohamed Farid Abdellatif

doi:10.1155/2019/7974534

Anood Jamal Alshaali, Soha Abd El Aziz Abd El Aal + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7974534

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Abstract

Vertebral fractures are one of the most common fractures associated with low bone mineral density. However two-thirds to three-fourths of patients with vertebral fractures are not clinically recognized. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients referred for bone densitometry and the most common site of fracture. The study was carried out in the osteoporosis clinic in Dubai primary health care center. A total of 120 patients were examined using the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Of all the patients, 48.3% were osteoporotic and 40.9% were osteopenic. The overall prevalence of vertebral fracture was 14.2%. The result showed that the prevalence of vertebral fracture was higher in female compared to male (15.7% and 9.7%, respectively). It was found that patients aged 80 and above had the highest prevalence of vertebral fracture (54.5%). Undiagnosed vertebral fractures were common. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent vertebral fracture through early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of osteoporosis.

Highlights

Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength, predisposing a person to an increased risk of fracture
Vertebral fractures are common; two-thirds to three-fourths of patients with vertebral fractures are not clinically recognized [5, 6]. It appears that only patients with clinical problems of vertebral fractures including severe and chronic back pain, height loss, spinal deformity, and disability come to clinical attention [7]
The study was conducted in osteoporosis clinic in the primary health care center in Dubai Health Authority during 5-month study period (April–September 2015); all newly postmenopausal women and men ≥ 50 years referred for bone densitometry assessment for osteoporosis screening were included in the study

Summary

Introduction

Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength, predisposing a person to an increased risk of fracture. Acute vertebral fractures occur when the weight of the upper body exceeds the ability of the bone within the vertebral body to support the load. Vertebral fractures are common; two-thirds to three-fourths of patients with vertebral fractures are not clinically recognized [5, 6]. It appears that only patients with clinical problems of vertebral fractures including severe and chronic back pain, height loss, spinal deformity, and disability come to clinical attention [7]. A study in Sweden reported that approximately 23% of vertebral deformities come to clinical attention in women [8]

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