Occurrence Of Vertebral Fractures Research Articles

Аssessment of osteoporosis and occurrence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with small doses of glucocorticoids

Osteoporosis (OP) is a serious extracorporeal manifestation that occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One of the risk factors is long-term use of glucocorticoids (GC). Osteoporosis together with the increased risk of vertebral (VF) and non-vertebral fractures (non-VF) in particular has a negative impact on quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the study was to detect the occurrence of OP and VF in postmenopausal patients with RA and their association with long-term use of small doses of glucocorticoids. Material and methods: A total of 46 patients were analyzed. All respondents underwent imaging for osteoporosis evaluation with a DXA scanner (Lunar iDXA, GE) and VF with incorporated Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA). Results: The values of bone mineral densities (BMD) were significantly smaller in the group that received glucocorticoids. According to VFA, 37,0% of patients were registered to have a fracture of middle degree, a mild fracture was registered in 19.6% of patients, and severe fractures were registered in 3 patients (6.5%). Conclusion: In postmenopausal patients with RA receiving GC therapy, a more common occurrence of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures was reported compared with the remaining group of RA patients. All patients with RA in menopause need to be screened for timely detection and treatment of osteoporosis and prevention of its complications.

Long-term follow up after denosumab treatment for osteoporosis \u2013 rebound associated with hypercalcemia, parathyroid hyperplasia, severe bone mineral density loss, and multiple fractures: a case report

BackgroundThe rebound effect after stopping treatment with denosumab may be associated with rapid loss of the gains in bone mineral density achieved with treatment, high levels of bone remodeling markers, the occurrence of vertebral fractures, and even hypercalcemia.Case presentationA 64-year-old osteoporotic Caucasian woman suffered from a fracture of her second lumbar vertebra in 2004. From January 2005, she was treated with denosumab for 9 years, with good densitometry results for her hip and lumbar areas, and no fractures over the last 6 years of treatment. Ten months after the treatment with denosumab was stopped, a cascade of vertebral fractures, including some in unusual locations (third thoracic vertebra), and multiple rib fractures in a context of hypercalcemia, suggested possible malignancy. A complete evaluation, including systemic, biological, and biopsy analyses, ruled out this hypothesis. The hypercalcemia was associated with normal plasma phosphate and vitamin D concentrations, and a high parathyroid hormone level, with an abnormal fixation of the lower lobe of the thyroid on sesta-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile scintigraphy. Histological analysis of the excised parathyroid tissue revealed hyperplasia. The associated thyroidectomy (goiter) led to the discovery of a thyroid papillary microcarcinoma.ConclusionsWe consider the consequences of this rebound effect, not only in terms of the major loss of bone density (return to basal values within 3 years) and the multiple disabling fracture episodes, but also in terms of the hypercalcemia observed in association with apparently autonomous tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Several cases of spontaneous reversion have been reported in children, but the intervention in our patient precluded any assessment of the possible natural course. The discovery of an associated thyroid neoplasm appears to be fortuitous. Better understanding of the various presentations of the rebound effect after stopping treatment with denosumab would improve diagnostic management of misleading forms, as in this case. Bisphosphonates could partially prevent this rebound effect.

The Impact of Geometrical Spinal Shape on Fresh Vertebral Fractures in Elderly Volunteers: A Longitudinal Cohort Analysis.

Four-year, longitudinal cohort study. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of original spinal shape on incidental vertebral fractures (VFs) and to identify the influence of changes in pre- and post-fracture geometrical spinal shape. Clinical evidence demonstrates that VFs cause spinal kyphosis, morbidities, and deteriorating quality of life in elderly people. However, knowledge of geometrical spinal shapes that affect incidental VFs is limited. Three hundred seventeen volunteers underwent whole spine radiography as part of a health screening in both 2012 and 2016. We extracted volunteers with incidental VF in 2016. Sex- and age-matched volunteers without VF were enrolled as controls. Baseline demographic variables, geometrical spinal shape, and spinopelvic parameters were compared between the two groups. In volunteers with incidental VF, we investigated the association between baseline spinal shape and post-fracture shape. Twenty-seven volunteers (12 men; mean age 75.4 ± 5.4 and 15 women; mean age 71.6 ± 7.9) with VF were enrolled, and 175 volunteers (48 men, 127 women) without VF were selected as controls. In men with VF, the thoracic kyphosis apex was located significantly more posteriorly and caudally than in those without VF. In women with VF, the lordosis apex was located significantly more posteriorly and caudally than in those without VF. After fractures occurring above the inflexion vertebra, the low anterior apex spine (L5) changed its geometrical shape in that the posterior apex and the inflexion vertebra shifted significantly more posteriorly compared to the high anterior apex spine (L4/5). Original geometrical spinal shape affected the occurrence of VF, and post-fracture spinal shape depended on the positional relationship between the inflexion vertebra and fractured vertebra. Our study helps to understand the influence of geometrical spinal shape on the risks of VF. 3.

Comparison between teriparatide and bisphosphonates for improving bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients: A meta-analysis.

Background:We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of teriparatide and bisphosphonates in managing postmenopausal osteoporosis.Methods:PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials that were published before April 2018 and compared teriparatide and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Stata 12.0 was used for the meta-analysis. The pooled risk ratio (RR) or weighted mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a fixed effects or random effects meta-analysis.Results:A total of 14 randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. The teriparatide group was associated with a lower total occurrence of vertebral fractures (RR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.40–0.77; P = .001) and nonvertebral fractures (RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46–0.90; P = .009) than the bisphosphonate group. Moreover, compared with the bisphosphonate group, the teriparatide group had improved bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck at the final follow-up (P < .05). There was no significant difference between the teriparatide and bisphosphonate groups in terms of complications (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.22, P = .516).Conclusions:Teriparatide significantly reduced the occurrence of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in osteoporosis patients. More studies should focus on the quality of life of patients using these 2 drugs.

SUN-LB075 Effects of Pegvisomant and Pasireotide LAR on Incidence of Vertebral Fractures in Patients with Acromegaly Resistant to Treatment with First-Line Somatostatin Analogs

Purpose: Osteopathy is an emerging complication of acromegaly characterized by increased bone turnover, deterioration in bone microarchitecture and high risk of vertebral fractures (VFs). In somatostatin analog (SSA)- resistant patients (pts), Pegvisomant (PegV) and Pasireotide LAR (Pasi) are used for acromegaly treatment, but their effect on skeletal health is still not defined. Methods: In a longitudinal international multicenter study, we evaluated incidence of radiological VFs in 55 pts (29F/26M), mean age 44.1 yrs (SD: 17) with acromegaly resistant to first line SSA. Results: At the study entry, prevalent VFs (lumbar, thoracic) were identified in 23 pts (41.8%): 42 mild and 3 moderate (Genant score) VF. Mean spine Z-score was -0.4 (-0.6 in PegV, -0.2 in Pasi group, respectively; p=0.49). Biochemical acromegaly control was reached in 22 / 31 pts on Peg-V (71%) and in 16/24 pts on Pasi (66.7%). During the follow-up (mean 89.9 months for PegV group and 50.5 months for Pasi group), incident VFs were detected in 16 pts (29.1%). Occurrence of incident VFs was associated with the presence of pre-existing VFs (p=0.009), persistence of active acromegaly (p=0.009) and with higher median value of serum IGF-I during follow-up (p=0.04). There were no significant differences in age, gender, initial treatment choice and changes in lumbar spine BMD. Incident VFs occurred in 7/9 pts not contolled on Peg-V and 2/8 pts not controlled on Pasi. Among pts with active disease at last visit, incident VFs occurred less frequently in pts on treatment with Pasi (25%) compared to Peg-V (77.8%), p=0.03, independently of the IGF-I values (p=0.9). In pts who reached acromegaly biochemical control, 5/17 (22.7%) on Peg-V and 2/14 (12.5%) pts on Pasi had incident VFs, p=0.4. In pts on Peg-V, factors associated with incident VFs during follow-up were persistence of active acromegaly and higher values of IGF-I (median IGF x ULN: 0.5 IQR:1.8 vs 2.6 IQR: 2.2 p=0.02). In pts treated with Pasi, we did not find any factors associated with incident VFs. Furthermore, in pts with biochemically controlled acromegaly, no factor was associated with incident VFs which occurred less frequently in pts treated with Pasi. Conclusion: Our data confirm that active acromegaly is the main determinant of VFs and show for the first time that pts with biochemically active disease treated with Pasi had lower risk of incident VFs vs those treated with Peg-V. Conversely, no significant drug-related differences in incident VFs in pts with controlled acromegaly were observed. Additional studies on larger populations and with longer follow-up are needed to confirm our data and disclose the mechanisms underlying our findings. Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. s presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.

Capture the vertebral fracture: Risk factors as a prediction.

Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fractures occurring due to low bone mineral density, as well as other risk factors. The aim of the paper is to investigate risk factors for vertebral osteoporotic fracture occurrence in postmenopausal women. Retrospective analysis of data pertaining to 651 postmenopausal women obtained from the National Osteoporosis Registry of Serbia was conducted. Further analyses were performed on 217 osteoporotic women identified from those records, whereby those in the experimental group (n= 110) had a vertebral fracture, while those assigned to the control group (n= 107) did not. The two groups were comparable in terms of age (t= 0.450; p> 0.01). Risk factors that could serve as the best predictors of vertebral fracture occurrence were investigated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for testing effect of several factors on vertebral fracture occurrence as the dependent variable. Patients that have never suffered a vertebral fracture had a significantly higher bone mineral density (t= 8.161; p< 0.01) in comparison to those with a verified vertebral fracture. Factors that significantly contributed to the risk of vertebral fracture were presence of kyphosis (OR 708.338; 95% CI 19.238-26.081.950), use of glucocorticoids (OR 87.618; 95% CI 9.175-836.707), and presence of comorbidities (OR 7.327; 95% CI 1.500-35.793). Moreover, a unit increase in body mass index (BMI) was found to lower the probability of vertebral fracture by a factor of 0.846. Women that entered menopause later have lower chance of suffering a vertebral fracture (OR = 0.539; 95% CI 0.400-0.726). Lower body mass index, presence of kyphosis, use of glucocorticoids, early menopause onset, and presence of comorbidities are the factors that contribute the most to vertebral osteoporotic fracture occurrence.

Osteoporosis-Related Fracture Events in the US

Introduction Osteoporosis is an important public health problem. Even patients who are hospitalized for fracture remain subsequently untreated. Current evidence on fracture occurrence is required to help payers and policymakers prioritize access to therapies and programs that can reduce the burden and cost of osteoporosis. Objectives To evaluate the magnitude of claims-based osteoporosis-related fractures in the US population overall and across subgroups including race/ethnicity, age, sex, and fracture site. Methods The current study used 2015 data from Medicare Standard Analytic Files (SAF), a national representation of all Medicare Fee for Service claims. In addition, commercial claim estimates were built using the following sources of data: Medicare SAF Inpatient Claims, Health Care Cost Utilization Project, CMS Hospital, US Census Bureau demographics by zip code, and commercial claims from several states. Estimates of closed fractures were quantified for hip, clinical vertebral, wrist, and other skeletal sites associated with fragility fractures that commonly occur in patients with osteoporosis using the following principal diagnosis ICD-9 codes: 805.x, 805.2x, 805.4x, 805.8x, 813.2x, 813.4x, 813.8x, 808.8x, 810.0x, 811.0x, 812.0x, 812.2x, 812.4x, 814.0x, 815.0x, 821.0x, 822.0x, 823.0x, 823.2x,823.4x, 823.8x. Results More than 2 million fractures occurred in 2015. Women accounted for 70% of fractures and 74% of the cost. Although there was a high occurrence of vertebral fractures in both men and women (18%), nonvertebral fractures represented (82%) of all fractures. They included wrist (16%), hip (20%), pelvic (7%), and other (33%; humerus, clavicle, and hand/fingers). Over 38% of the total diagnostic claims for fractures occurred in patients living in the southern region of the United States. On a state-by-state basis, Florida (8%), Texas (7%), and New York (6%) contributed to a majority of fracture events. Most fractures occurred in patients 75-84 years of age; however, the number of fracture-related claims, while steady over time compared with previous studies, remained highest in white women. Conclusions The number of osteoporosis-related fractures has escalated as predicted by earlier epidemiological studies. Treatment of osteoporosis and educational efforts in raising awareness about both osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures should include all skeletal sites. Further, increased access to available therapies is warranted in the subpopulations with the highest risk.

Risk factors of non-surgical vertebral fracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty of single segment thoracolumbar fracture

To investigate the risk factors of non-surgical vertebral fracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in patients with single segment thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture(OVCF). The clinical data of 219 patients with single segment thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty from January 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 29 cases in non-surgical vertebral body fracture group with 7 males and 22 females aged (67.35±9.92) years. Bone mineral density was(-3.89±0.72)SD, fracture compressed degree was (0.57±0.35)%, bone cement injected volume was (4.53±1.64) ml, and vertebral height recovery was (0.49±0.86)% on average. Ten cases were with vertebral body space fracture, 7 cases with bone cement leakage to the intervertebral disc, 9 cases with bone cement leakage to the peripheral tissue and 14 cases were treated by systemic anti-osteoporosis treatment after operation. Other 190 cases in non-surgical vertebral body without fracture group, and there were 42 males and 148 females, aged (66.98±7.55) years. Bone mineral density was (-3.13±0.59) SD, fracture compressed degree was (0.39±0.60)%, bone cement injected volume was (4.72±1.28) ml, and vertebral height recovery was (0.46±0.94)% on average. Among them, 13 cases were with vertebral body space fracture, 5 cases with bone cement leakage to the intervertebral disc, 29 cases with bone cement leakage to the peripheral tissue and 129 cases were treated by systemic anti-osteoporosis treatment after operation. The factors of gender, age, fracture compressed degree, fractured type, bone mineral density, bone cement injected volume, bone cement leakage, vertebral height recovery, adjacent vertebral fractures, and systemic anti-osteoporosis treatment were studied in the two groups for single factor analysis. For the results with significant differences among above factors, the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to research the non-surgical vertebral fracture risk factors. Among the 219 patients with single thoracolumbar fractures, 29 cases occurred non-surgical vertebral fractures. The single factor analysis results showed that there was no significant correlation between non-surgical vertebral fracture occurrecne with age, sex, fracture compressed degree, bone cement injected volume, and vertebral height recovery(P>0.05), but there was a significant correlation between non-surgical vertebral fracture occurrence with fractured type, bone cement leakage, systemic anti-osteoporosis treatment, and bone mineral density (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fractured type(OR=0.135), whether systemic anti-osteoporosis treatment (OR=3.793), bone cement leakage (OR=8.975), and bone density (OR=57.079) are risk factors for postoperative non-surgical vertebral fractures. Improving the quality of the people, systemic preventing and treating the osteoporosis, improving the surgical skills and decreasing the bone cement leakage during operation are effective methods to prevent postoperative non-surgical vertebral fractures.

Worldwide prevalence and incidence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

We investigated the prevalence and incidence of vertebral fractures worldwide. We used a systematic Medline search current to 2015 and updated as per authors' libraries. A total of 62 articles of fair to good quality and comparable methods for vertebral fracture identification were considered. The prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures in European women is highest in Scandinavia (26%) and lowest in Eastern Europe (18%). Prevalence rates in North America (NA) for White women ≥50 are 20-24%, with a White/Black ratio of 1.6. Rates in women ≥50years in Latin America are overall lower than Europe and NA (11-19%). In Asia, rates in women above ≥65 are highest in Japan (24%), lowest in Indonesia (9%), and in the Middle East, Lebanon, rates are 20%. The highest-lowest ratio between countries, within and across continents, varied from 1.4-2.6. Incidence data is less abundant and more heterogeneous. Age-standardized rates in studies combining hospitalized and ambulatory vertebral fractures are highest in South Korea, USA, and Hong Kong and lowest in the UK. Neither a North-South gradient nor a relation to urbanization is evident. Conversely, the incidence of hospitalized vertebral fractures in European patients ≥50 shows a North-South gradient with 3-3.7-fold variability. In the USA, rates in Whites are approximately 4-fold higher than in Blacks. Vertebral fractures variation worldwide is lower than observed with hip fractures, and some of highest rates are unexpectedly from Asia. Better quality representative studies are needed. We investigate the occurrence of vertebral fractures, worldwide, using published data current until the present. Worldwide, the variation in vertebral fractures is lower than observed for hip fractures. Some of the highest rates are from North America and unexpectedly Asia. The highest-lowest ratio between countries, within and across continents, varied from 1.4-2.6. Better quality representative data is needed.

Risk of Vertebral Fracture in Patients Diagnosed with a Depressive Disorder: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE:Previous studies have reported that depression may play a crucial role in the occurrence of vertebral fractures. However, a clear correlation between depressive disorders and osteoporotic fractures has not been established. We explored the association between depressive disorders and subsequent new-onset vertebral fractures. Additionally, we aimed to identify the potential risk factors for vertebral fracture in patients with a depressive disorder.METHODS:We studied patients listed in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database who were diagnosed with a depressive disorder by a psychiatrist. The comparison cohort consisted of age- and sex-matched patients without a depressive disorder. The incidence rate and hazard ratios of subsequent vertebral fracture were evaluated. We used Cox regression analysis to evaluate the risk of vertebral fracture among patients with a depressive disorder.RESULTS:The total number of patients with and without a depressive disorder was 44,812. The incidence risk ratio (IRR) between these 2 cohorts indicated that depressive disorder patients had a higher risk of developing a subsequent vertebral fracture (IRR=1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.26–1.57, p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the depressive disorder cohort showed a higher risk of vertebral fracture than the comparison cohort (adjusted hazard ratio=1.24, 95% CI=1.11–1.38, p<0.001). Being older than 50 years, having a lower monthly income, and having hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, autoimmune disease, or osteoporosis were considered predictive factors for vertebral fracture in patients with depressive disorders.CONCLUSIONS:Depressive disorders may increase the risk of a subsequent new-onset vertebral fracture.

Vertebral body morphology is associated with incident lumbar vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women. The OFELY study.

We investigate the predictive role of vertebral anterior cortical curvature and height heterogeneity in the occurrence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. Women who will fracture had shorter vertebral height, greater heterogeneity of height than those who will not fracture, and their anterior vertebral body edge was less concave. Vertebral morphology has been demonstrated to be associated with further risk of fracture. The aim of this study was to analyze vertebral anterior cortical curvature (Ct.curv) and vertebral height heterogeneity in postmenopausal women before the occurrence of a vertebral fracture. This case-control study included 29 postmenopausal women who have underwent incident lumbar vertebral fractures (mean age 71 ± 9years, mean time to fractures 9 ± 4years), age-matched with 57 controls. From lateral X-rays of lumbar spine radiographs (T12 to L4), the following parameters were measured: (1) the posterior, middle, and anterior vertebral heights; (2) the heterogeneity of heights evaluated by the coefficient of variation of these three variables; (3) antero-posterior width, a 2D estimator of cross-sectional area; and (4) Ct.curv. Mean vertebral heights were significantly lower among women who fractured than in controls (p < 0.05). The anterior and middle heights were significantly lower at L4 and L3 levels in fracture group (p = 0.02). The heterogeneity of vertebral height was significantly greater in the fracture group (p = 0.003). In addition, fractured patients had a significantly higher Ct.curv on L3 (p = 0.04). After adjustment for bone mineral density (BMD), only the heterogeneity of vertebral height remained significant (p = 0.005). The current case-control study confirmed the association between vertebral height and occurrence of future vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women. The vertebrae with the smallest Ct.curv tended to fracture less often, and the heterogeneity of vertebral heights was associated with future fracture independently of BMD. An additional validation in a prospective study would be needed to confirm these initial results.

Occurrence of vertebral fracture more closely associated with decreased anteroposterior than lateral lumbar bone mineral density

ObjectivesWhile it has been pointed out that an anteroposterior (AP) view of the lumbar spine may lead to overestimation of the bone mineral density (BMD), a lateral view is expected lead to the early detection of BMD loss on scanning cancellous bone. Vertebral fracture is often seen in aged osteoporotic patients, and it is important to prevent this fracture. Therefore, we aimed to identify the optimal site for BMD measurement to assess the risk of vertebral fracture. MethodsForty-seven female patients with fresh osteoporotic vertebral fracture and BMD measurements were included in this study (Fracture group). As a non-fractured control group, 218 female patients with BMD measurements were enrolled (Control group). We compared BMD values based on AP and lateral views of the lumbar spine from L2 to L4 and the femoral neck. With a lateral view of the lumbar spine, we measured both the total vertebral body and vertebral body center, mainly composed of cancellous bone. ResultsBMD of the AP lumbar spine in the Fracture group was significantly lower than in the Control group (P < 0.05). In the subanalyses for comparisons between age-matched fracture and control groups, BMD of only the AP lumbar spine in the Fracture group was significantly lower than in the Control group (P < 0.01). ConclusionsAP lumbar spine BMD is optimal for assessing vertebral fracture occurrence.

Prognostic significance of increased bone marrow microcirculation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: results of a prospective DCE-MRI study.

Aim of this prospective study was to investigate prognostic significance of increased bone marrow microcirculation as detected by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for survival and local complications in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We performed DCE-MRI of the lumbar spine in 131 patients with newly diagnosed MM and analysed data according to the Brix model to acquire amplitude A and exchange rate constant kep. In 61 patients a second MRI performed after therapy was evaluated to assess changes in vertebral height and identify vertebral fractures. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive association between beta2-microglobulin as well as immunoparesis with DCE-MRI parameters A and kep. Additionally, A was negatively correlated with haemoglobin levels and kep was positively correlated with LDH levels. Higher baseline kep values were associated with decreased vertebral height in a second MRI (P = 0.007) and A values were associated with new vertebral fractures in the lower lumbar spine (P = 0.03 for L4). Pre-existing lytic bone lesions or remission after therapy had no impact on the occurrence of vertebral fractures. Multivariate analysis revealed that amplitude A is an independent adverse risk factor for overall survival. DCE-MRI is a non-invasive tool with significance for systemic prognosis and vertebral complications. • Qualitative parameters from DCE-MRI are correlated with established factors of disease activity • Increased marrow microcirculation might be a risk factor for loss of vertebral height and fractures • Amplitude A is an independent predictor for shortened overall survival.

Incidence of Symptomatic Vertebral Fractures Among Newly Diagnosed Autoimmune Diseases Initiating Glucocorticoid Therapy.

Few data are available regarding vertebral fracture risk in patients treated with corticosteroids including patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for symptomatic vertebral fracture analyzed in patients with newly diagnosed autoimmune diseases.This was an observational cohort study conducted in the National Hospital Organization-EBM study group from 2006 to 2008. The study subjects were autoimmune disease patients who were newly treated with glucocorticoids (GCs). The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of vertebral fracture diagnosed by x-rays. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to determine independent risk factors for vertebral fracture with covariates including sex, age, comorbidity, laboratory data, use of immunosuppressants, and dose of GCs. Survival was analyzed according to the Kaplan–Meier method and assessed by the log-rank test.Among 604 patients of mean age 59.5 years and mean GC dose 50.4 mg/d (first 1 months), 19 patient (3.1%) had at least 1 symptomatic vertebral fracture during 1.9 years of follow-up period. Cox regression model demonstrated that the relative risk for symptomatic vertebral fracture was independently higher in patient with ILD (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10–7.42, P = 0.031) and in every 10-year increment of the age of disease onset (HR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.09–2.26, P = 0.015). Kaplan–Meier analyses demonstrated that the incidence of vertebral fractures in patients with ILD was significantly higher in comparison with those without ILD.Our results indicate a higher risk of vertebral facture in patients with ILD and elderly patients during the initial GC treatment against autoimmune diseases. There is a need for further, even longer-term, prospective studies subjected patients with autoimmune disease, including ILD, under GC treatment.

An efficient case finding strategy to diagnose osteoporosis in a developing society with low treatment frequency.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition with rising frequency of fragility fractures with advancing age. Life expectancy increases in developing societies with the emergence of osteoporosis. There is a need for a simple protocol to diagnose fractures that merit treatment for osteoporosis. Evaluation of all consecutive lateral chest radiographs performed at the National Hospital in the capital city in Greenland over a 3-month period for vertebral body heights at the anterior, middle and posterior regions. Use of anti-osteoporotic drug was evaluated from records of dispensed drugs from Greenland National Pharmacy. 1869 vertebrae were evaluated on radiographs from 203 subjects. On average 9.2 vertebrae (range 5-13) qualified for evaluation in each individual. Median (range) age was 55 (30-82) years. Any vertebral deformity above 25 (20) % was seen in 28.6 (50.2) %. More than one fracture was seen in 10.3 (27.1) %. Fractures occurred in 18.5 (36.9) % of patients from the General Medicine Clinic and in 33.3 (56.5) % of inpatients (p = 0.029). The occurrence of vertebral fractures increased with age (p < 0.001) and hosting more than one vertebral fracture was markedly more frequent after the age of 60 years [OR, 95 % CI 9.6, 3.1-30 (5.7, 2.9-11); p < 0.001] after correction for gender in logistic regressions. The National Pharmacy handed out anti-osteoporotic drugs equal to the treatment of 36 individuals. Vertebral fractures that merit treatment can be readily diagnosed from lateral chest radiographs taken in routine clinical work-up. They are common in Greenland as demonstrated by this simple protocol to improve diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in a developing society.

FRI0116 Prevalence of Vertebral Fractures and the Relation to Clinical and Radiological Outcome in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients with Active Disease

BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by the combination of inflammation, excessive bone formation, and bone loss in the axial skeleton. This excessive bone loss may lead to the occurrence of...

Percutaneous vertebroplasty with bone cement in cases of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures

Occurrence of vertebral fractures in cases of osteoporosis in Uzbekistan is of 15 % in average. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is a minimally invasive procedure , which is currently used for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF).Purpose: to evaluate results of vertebroplasty with bone cement in the cases of compression OVF.Methods: 42 patients (9 male and 33 female, mean age 65 years) with thoracolumbar spine OVF whom PV was performed in 2010-2012. Period of existence of fractures was not less than 3 months. During this period of time conservative treatment was performed. There were none neurological signs in these patients. 30 patients were able to move independently, 10 – with assistance, and 2 were not able to move because of dorsal pain. Localization of lesion was at ThX/LV level. Multiple OVF were in 30 patients. Plan of examination included radiological absorptiometry, X-ray filming, CT and MRI scanning. Pain was assessed by means of visual analogue scale (VAS), and limitations of movement was assessed by means of Roland-Maurice questionnaire. Vertebroplasty was done by only one surgeon under local anesthesia with 1% of lidocaine under X-ray control. We used polymethylmetakrylat with Karl Storz equipment. PV at one level was in 40 patients (10 dorsal and 30 lumbar vertebrae), at two levels was in 2 ones. After PV we prescribed bed rest allowed to walk on the second day after surgery. Patients were prescribed such osteotropic drugs as alendronate sodium (70 mg 1 time per week), Ca (1000 mg daily) and vitamin D3 (400 MYE per day).Results: good results of treatment obtained in 30 patients, satisfactory - in 10, and poor – in 2 ones. After 1 year T-score values increased to 2.7 SD (from -2.3 to 3.5) in average. Before surgery T-score values were -2.9 SD (from -2.9 to -4.0) in average. Average VAS score was 7 (from 6 to 8) before surgery and 3 (from 2 to 4) after surgery. RDQ before surgery was 17.5 (26 to 23) in average, and after one year improved to 12 (from 8 to19) due to pain reduced. In 3 patients penetration of cement into the intervertebral disc, in 1 - into paravertebral tissues, and in 1 – into the spinal canal without any clinical symptoms were revealed.Conclusion: PV is an effective and safe procedure in cases of OVF but selection of patients is crucial to successful outcome.

A4.7 Prevalence of vertebral fractures, after 50 years old

IntroductionFragility fractures are number growing. They reduced quality life and increased mortality. After 50 years, one woman and two men will have an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. The presence...

Bone complications in patients with Cushing’s syndrome: looking for clinical, biochemical, and genetic determinants

This is the first study examining the impact of both clinical, biochemical, and genetic determinants in the occurrence of bone complications in patients with overt Cushing's syndrome (CS). It demonstrates that the degree and duration of hypercortisolism seem to play a major role in bone loss and fractures development in these patients. Bone loss and fractures are a common complication of CS. We investigate the role of gender, disease etiology, duration, and degree of hypercortisolism as well as the impact of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) polymorphisms on the development of bone complications in CS. Fifty-two patients with active CS (38 Cushing's disease and 14 with cortisol-secreting adrenal adenoma) were genotyped for GR polymorphisms (BclI, N363S, ER22/23EK, and A3669G). In all patients, clinical, hormonal, and biochemical markers of bone turnover, densitometric parameters [lumbar spine and left femur bone mineral density (BMD), T-score, Z-score] as well as the prevalence of bone demineralization and both vertebral and peripheral fractures were assessed. No differences were found in bone complications according to gender, disease etiology, and genetic variants distribution. Fractured patients compared to non-fractured ones showed increased levels of urinary free cortisol (UFC) and a more compromised densitometric profile. UFC levels correlated with the occurrence of vertebral fractures (r = 0.43, p = 0.009) while midnight serum cortisol correlated with L1-L4 BMD values (r = -0.35, p = 0.04). Disease duration correlated with the presence of peripheral fractures (r = 0.36, p = 0.04). While GR gene variants as well as gender and disease etiology seem not to play a role, the degree and duration of hypercortisolism seem to be the major determinants of bone loss and fractures in this group of patients. More investigations are needed to understand the real impact of these determinants on the development of bone complications in patients with hypercortisolism.

High prevalence of spine–femur bone mineral density discordance and comparison of vertebral fracture risk assessment using femoral neck and lumbar spine bone density in Korean patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of spine–femur discordance, and to compare the effectiveness of femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD) for estimation of the risk of vertebral fractures. Women who were evaluated with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry between January 2001 and December 2005 were enrolled in this study. Vertebral fracture risk was calculated using initial FN and LS BMD. The follow-up vertebral X-rays from all subjects were reviewed, and the calculated estimated risk using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX(®)) was compared with the actual prevalence of vertebral fractures during the follow-up period. Among a total of 443 women with a mean age of 58.5 years, 130 women (29.3 %) demonstrated femur–spine discordance (i.e., a difference between FN and LS BMD of [1 SD). Most subjects having discordance showed lower LS BMD (73.1 %) compared to FN BMD. During the mean 7-year follow-up period, 12 (2.7 %) vertebral fractures occurred. In cases with high estimated fracture risk ([20 % for estimated fracture risk), using LSBMD significantly reflected the actual vertebral fracture in total subjects [odds ratio (OR) 19.29, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 4.21–88.46], in subjects with spine–femur discordance (OR 16.00, 95 % CI 1.91–134.16), and in subjects with spine–femur discordance having lower LSBMD (OR 20.67, 95 % CI 1.63–262.71). In comparison, the estimated risk using FN BMD did not reflect the actual occurrence of vertebral fractures. In conclusion, a significant number of Korean subjects exhibited spine–femur discordance, and LS BMD might be more appropriate for estimation of vertebral fracture risk.