Presence Of Vertebral Fractures Research Articles

Polymorphism of LRP5 gene and emphysema severity are associated with osteoporosis in Japanese patients with or at risk for COPD.

Osteoporosis is an important systemic comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, neither its mechanisms nor its risk factors have been fully elucidated. With regard to genetic factors, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) A1330V is known to be associated with osteoporosis in the general population, but the influence of this polymorphism in COPD is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential risk factors of COPD-related bone loss and fracture. Keio University and affiliated hospitals have enrolled an observational cohort to investigate the management of COPD comorbidities. To assess risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis, bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip and lumbar spine, presence of vertebral fracture, quantitative data on emphysema and airway wall on computed tomography, as well as LRP5 genotype were analysed in patients with or at risk for COPD (n = 270). The percentage of subjects with osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5), osteopenia (T-score between -1 and -2.5) and a normal BMD (T-score ≥ -1) was 15.2%, 35.9% and 48.9%, respectively. T-score was significantly decreased in subjects with LRP5 TT genotype (n = 15) compared with that in those with CC/CT genotype (n = 255) (-1.83 vs. -0.98, P = 0.0167). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, female gender (odds ratio (OR) 10.4; P < 0.0001), severe emphysema (OR 2.3; P = 0.013) and LRP5 TT genotype (OR 3.7; P = 0.031) independently increased the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis. This study confirmed the complex pathophysiology of COPD-related osteoporosis, including the influence of gender, clinical phenotype and genetic factors.

Radiation-free spinometry adds to the predictive power of historical height loss in clinical vertebral fracture assessment.

After introducing radiation-free spinometry as a diagnostic tool to predict prevalent vertebral fractures, its validity and comparison with established tools such as historical height loss (HHL) was missing. This study shows that radiation-free spinometry is valid and its application adds predictive power to the ability of HHL to assess presence of vertebral fractures. Recently, radiation-free spinometry was introduced to identify patients with vertebral fractures (VFs). The goals of this study were to validate previous findings and to test the predictive accuracy of radiation-free spinometry compared to the assessment of historical height loss (HHL). We analyzed 304 patients [258 (85%) females (age range, 42-90 years) and 46 males (50-84 years)], including 108 patients with VFs. We performed receiver operator characteristic and net reclassification improvement (NRI) analyses to quantify the predictive power and the added predictive ability of radiation-free spinometry and HHL for VFs. The estimated odds ratios in the thoracic and the lumbar spine showed no significant differences compared to the previously published, except for the effect of thoracic kyphosis in region "Th12 + L4-5." Radiation-free spinometry and HHL were both moderately accurate to raise suspicion for VFs. According to the NRI, which is defined as the net sum of the predicted risk increase in individuals who have VFs and the predicted net risk decrease for those who have not, we found significant improvements in all regions of interest when HHL and radiation-free spinometry were used in combination (area under the curve (AUC) 0.729-0.788). Our results based on a new data set suggest validity of the prognostic score published previously. In addition, although our findings did not confirm our initial hypothesis that radiation-free spinometry alone performs superior to the assessment of HHL to predict VFs, we showed that radiation-free spinometry still adds predictive power to the ability of HHL to discriminate patients with VFs.

Osteoporosis is highly prevalent in Japanese males with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is associated with deteriorated pulmonary function.

Osteoporosis has recently been recognized as a major comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We conducted a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 136 Japanese males with COPD to evaluate the prevalence of vertebral fracture (VF) and to explore its relationship with pulmonary function parameters. VFs were present in 108 (79.4%); multiple and severe (SQ grade 2 or 3) VFs were found in 77 (56.6%) and 25 (18.4%), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0)/forced vital capacity (FVC) [odds ratio (OR) 0.963, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.929-998, p = 0.036] was associated with the presence of VF after adjustment for age and that FVC (OR 0.462, 95% CI 0.220-0.968, p = 0.041) and current smoking (OR 2.992, 95% CI 1.128-7.940, p = 0.028) were associated with VF severity (grade 2-3 vs. 1). We also found that FEV1.0 was the sole independent determinant of the number of VFs by stepwise multivariate linear regression (p < 0.001). Bone mineral density (BMD) values were available in 49 subjects. Mean T scores were -2.0 ± 1.2 in femoral neck, -1.4 ± 1.2 in total hip and -1.1 ± 1.4 in lumbar spine. Nineteen patients (38.8%) had a BMD T score less than -2.5. BMD Z scores of all the sites showed a progressive decrease as GOLD stage of COPD advanced (p < 0.05). Our results indicate a high prevalence of osteoporosis in Japanese male COPD patients and a strong inter-relationship between the two diseases, re-emphasizing the urgent need for appropriate intervention to maintain both bone and lung health.

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...

Management of Non-traumatic Thoracics Vertebral Fractures in Elderly Female with Previous Malignant Tumor

The incidence of vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis is frequent. In elderly patients, the presence of vertebral fracture without history of trauma may be present. In addition, previous diagnosis of tumor pathology raises the suspicion of metastatic disease. The presence of known or unknown primary tumor raises the need for a correct diagnosis to tailor the best treatment. Mechanical pain and neurological compression have been described in both cases. Imaging tests, x-rays, CT and MRI may help the diagnosis. The existence of prior known tumor may not require the need of previous biopsy. Treatment can range from conservative treatment with bracing and analgesia, reinforcement techniques or decompression and stabilization in deformity or neurological deficit.

Vertebral fractures and self-perceived health in elderly women and men in a population-based cross-sectional study: the Tromsø Study 2007–08

BackgroundHealth-related quality of life (HRQL) may be associated with increased mortality in the elderly. The effect of prevalent vertebral fractures on HRQL in elderly women and men is not well described. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between prevalent vertebral fractures and back pain, neck pain, and HRQL in elderly women and men, and to study possible gender differences in the reported pain and HRQL.MethodsInformation on prevalent vertebral fractures was ascertained by a vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) method (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), GE Lunar Prodigy) in 2887 women and men, mean age 65.4 (SD 9.4) who participated in the population-based Tromsø Study which was conducted in 2007–08. Bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm2) was measured by DXA at the femoral sites. Self-reported HRQL was assessed using the standardized measures EQ-5D-3 L and EQ VAS from the EuroQol Group. Lifestyle information was collected by questionnaires. The association between vertebral fractures and pain was analyzed using logistic regression, between vertebral fractures and EQ-5D-3 L and EQ VAS scores by multiple regression analyses.ResultsIn women, presence of vertebral fractures was associated with an increased risk of back pain with an OR of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.24 – 2.50) after adjustments for age, height, weight, and BMD. Women with vertebral fractures had lower EQ-5D-3 L scores (p < 0.001) than women without vertebral fractures, also after adjustments. These associations were not present in men. Type of fracture was not associated with EQ-5D-3 L scores, but increasing numbers (p < 0.001) and severity of fractures (p < 0.002) were associated with decreasing EQ-5D-3 L score in women.ConclusionPrevalent vertebral fractures are associated with increased risk of back pain and reduced HRQL in postmenopausal women, but not in men.

Lumbar Disc Degeneration in Osteoporotic Men: Prevalence and Assessment of the Relation with Presence of Vertebral Fracture

The relationship between osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) remains controversial. An inverse relationship between spine OA and the presence of prevalent vertebral fractures has been shown in osteoporotic women. Our objective was to assess this relationship in osteoporotic men. All the patients had OP based on densitometric data and were aged ≥ 65 years. Spine radiographs were performed according to a standardized procedure. Vertebral fractures were assessed from T4 to L4 by a semiquantitative method. Disc degenerative changes were assessed by the presence and severity of osteophytes and disc narrowing at levels T12-L1 to L5-S1. Logistic regression was used to study the relationship between the presence of vertebral fracture and lumbar disc degeneration. The study included 261 osteoporotic men. The prevalence of vertebral fractures was 26.4% (69/261). At least 1 osteophyte was found in 91.6% (239/261) of patients, and at least 1 disc space narrowing in 63.5% (165/260). The prevalence of at least 1 osteophyte and/or at least 1 disc space narrowing was similar in patients with and those without vertebral fracture. No relationship was found between the presence and/or the severity of osteophytes and disc narrowings and the presence of prevalent vertebral radiographic fractures. In osteoporotic men, the prevalence of lumbar spine degeneration is high. There is no relationship between lumbar disc degeneration and the presence of vertebral fracture in osteoporotic men.

AB0528 Bone mineral density, vertebral fractures and their determinants in ankylosing spondylitis

BackgroundOsteoporosis responsible for loss of bone strength and vertebral fracture (VF) rates ranged from 0% to 18% have been reported in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).ObjectivesIn this study we examined...

SAT0083 Abdominal Aortic Calcifications are Associated with Cardiovascular Diseases and Vertebral Fractures in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are two major causes of morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) by dual-energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a validated tool for...

AB0615 Is there a relationship between the educational level and vertebral fractures in moroccan postmenopausal women?

BackgroundObjectivesto assess the influence ofeducational level on the risk of vertebral fractures and its risk factors in postmenopausal women.MethodsCross-sectional studyincluding 276 postmenopausal women recruited from the bone densitometry center. The...

THU0400 Effect of Systematic Implementation of Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) in Patients with a Recent Non-Vertebral Fracture

BackgroundPatients presenting at a fracture liaison service (FLS) with a prevalent non-vertebral fracture have a high prevalence of vertebral fractures. However, the diagnosis of a vertebral fracture can only be...

DXA parameters: Beyond bone mineral density

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the reference standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD) to diagnose osteoporosis. However, BMD measurement alone does not reliably predict the fracture risk. DXA can be used to assess other parameters (e.g. presence of vertebral fractures, bone microarchitecture, bone geometry, and body composition) simultaneously with BMD measurements, to help identify individuals at high fracture risk. Among these parameters, some are suitable for use in clinical practice, whereas others are reserved for research. Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) is a very low radiation-dose method for detecting thoracic and lumbar vertebral fractures. Compared to standard radiography, VFA can be used in a broader population to detect asymptomatic vertebral fractures. The very good negative predictive value of VFA leads, in one-third of cases, to changes in patient management (drug treatment and prescription of radiographs). The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a noninvasively measured texture parameter that correlates with 3D bone microarchitecture parameters independently from BMD and that can be determined from lumbar-spine DXA images. Several cross-sectional studies and a prospective study established that the TBS was effective in identifying individuals with fractures. Additional studies will have to be performed to determine whether TBS determination can be recommended for everyday practice when treatment decisions are difficult.

The association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vertebral fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes

Vitamin D is an important regulator of bone health. Previous studies examining the association between vitamin D deficiency and osteoporotic fractures have reported conflicting results. The relationship between vitamin D status and risk of vertebral fractures in diabetic patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine whether low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were associated with vertebral fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 161 postmenopausal women and 180 men with type 2 diabetes. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were measured and the presence of vertebral fracture was assessed using lateral plain radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine. Women had lower 25(OH)D levels than men (31.3 ± 17.7 vs. 41.3 ± 26.5 ng/mL, p<0.001). Vertebral fractures were found in 16% of patients. Men with a serum 25(OH)D concentration greater than 30 ng/mL showed a lower prevalence of vertebral fractures compared to those with 20-29.9 ng/mL or those with less than 20 ng/mL (9.4% vs. 17.9% vs. 21.7%, p for trend=0.036). However, there was no significant association between vitamin D status and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in women (14.4% vs. 19.2% vs. 26.6%, p for trend=0.111). After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, men with a serum 25(OH)D concentration of less than 20 ng/mL were associated with an increased risk of vertebral fractures (OR 7.87; 95% CI 1.69-36.71), but not women. In conclusion, serum 25(OH)D levels below 20 ng/mL were associated with an increased vertebral fracture risk in men with type 2 diabetes.

Advances in bone imaging for osteoporosis

The diagnosis and management of osteoporosis have been improved by the development of new quantitative methods of skeletal assessment and by the availability of an increasing number of therapeutic options, respectively. A number of imaging methods exist and all have advantages and disadvantages. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most widely available and commonly utilized method for clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis and will remain so for the foreseeable future. The WHO 10-year fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX(®)) will improve clinical use of DXA and the cost-effectiveness of therapeutic intervention. Improved reporting of radiographic features that suggest osteoporosis and the presence of vertebral fracture, which are powerful predictors of future fractures, could increase the frequency of appropriate DXA referrals. Quantitative CT remains predominantly a research tool, but has advantages over DXA--allowing measurement of volumetric density, separate measures of cortical and trabecular bone density, and evaluation of bone shape and size. High resolution imaging, using both CT and MRI, has been introduced to measure trabecular and cortical bone microstructure. Although these methods provide detailed insights into the effects of disease and therapies on bone, they are technically challenging and not widely available, so they are unlikely to be used in clinical practice.

“Trabecular Bone Score” (TBS): An indirect measure of bone micro-architecture in postmenopausal patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

BackgroundPatients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) generally show reduced bone mineral density (BMD) at cortical sites with relatively preserved trabecular bone. However, the increased fracture risk at all skeletal sites suggests that areal BMD probably is not effective in capturing all the determinants of bone strength. “Trabecular Bone Score” (TBS) has been recently proposed as an indirect measure of bone micro-architecture. Our study was aimed to investigate TBS in patients with PHPT. MethodsSeventy-three Caucasian postmenopausal women with PHPT and 74 age-matched healthy women (C) were studied. In all participants BMD at lumbar spine (LS) and at femoral sites (Neck-FN and total hip-TH) was measured by DXA and, in 67 patients and 34 C, also at the distal 1/3 of the radius (R). TBS was measured in the region of LS-BMD. Spine X ray was assessed in all patients. ResultsMean TBS values were significantly reduced in PHPT (1.19±0.10) compared to C (1.24±0.09, p<0.01). Patients and controls did not differ for age, years since menopause (YSM), BMI, 25(OH)D serum levels, creatinine clearance, LS-BMD and FN-BMD. On the contrary, mean BMD values at both TH and R were significantly lower in PHPT patients compared to controls (p<0.01 and p<0.0001, respectively). In PHPT with vertebral fractures (VF+, n=29) TBS was significantly lower than in those without fracture (VF−, n=44)(1.14±0.10 vs. 1.22±0.10, respectively; p<0.01), whose TBS values did not differ from C. Mean TBS values in patients with (n=18) and without (n=55) non-vertebral fractures did not significantly differ (1.16±0.09 vs. 1.20±0.11). The presence of vertebral fractures was independently associated with the reduction of TBS (OR=0.003, 95% CI=0–0.534, p=0.028) and with YSM (OR=1.076, 95% CI=1.017–1.139, p=0.011), but not with age, the reduction of LS-BMD and the increase of BMI. The combination of YSM > 10years plus TBS < 1.2 was associated with a significant risk of VF (OR=11.73, 95% CI 2.43–66.55, p<0.001). A TBS value <1.2 showed a better performance in individuating VF (sensibility 79.3%, specificity 61.4%, positive predictive value 57.5%, and negative predictive value 81.8%) in respect to YSM > 10years. ConclusionsTBS seems to indirectly reflect an alteration of bone micro-architecture in postmenopausal women with PHPT.

The prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fractures in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes

Although type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been associated with an increase in fracture risk, there is no data regarding the prevalence of vertebral fractures or its risk factors for patients with T2DM in Korea. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited postmenopausal women with T2DM from 24 tertiary hospital diabetes clinics in Korea. Prevalent vertebral fractures were identified on lateral spinal radiographs of thoracolumbar vertebrae by vertebral morphometry. Demographic and biochemical characteristics related to diabetes were obtained, and bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, which was available in 752 (33.6%) and 675 (30.1%) patients, respectively, was also analyzed. Of the 2239 subjects recruited (mean age 63.9years), a total of 970 (43.3%) subjects had vertebral fractures. In the bivariate analysis, history of fragility fractures after 50years of age, microalbuminuria, presence of cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, angina, cerebrovascular complications of cardiovascular disease), and presence of osteoporosis at the total hip were significantly associated with the presence of vertebral fractures, after adjusting for age. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of cardiovascular diseases in addition to advancing age and history of fragility fractures was significantly associated with increased odds of vertebral fractures. Vertebral fractures were highly prevalent in postmenopausal women with T2DM in this study conducted in Korea, and the presence of cardiovascular disease, in addition to older age and history of fragility fractures, was significantly associated with the presence of vertebral fractures.

Systematic vertebral fracture assessment in asymptomatic postmenopausal women

IntroductionRecognition of vertebral fractures (VFs) changes the patient's diagnostic classification, estimation of fracture risk, and threshold for pharmacological intervention. Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) enables the detection of VFs in the same session as bone mineral density (BMD) testing. ObjectiveTo study prevalence and risk factors of VFs using VFA in asymptomatic women and measure its effect on treatment recommendations. MethodsWe enrolled 908 postmenopausal women (mean age, weight and BMI of 60.9±7.7 (50–91) years, 73.2±13.2 (35–150) kg and 29.8±5.3 (14.5–50.8) kg/m2, respectively. Lateral VFA images and scans of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were obtained using a GE Healthcare Lunar Prodigy densitometer. VFs were defined using a combination of Genant semiquantitative (SQ) approach and morphometry. ResultsVFs were identified in 382 patients (42.0%): 203 (22.3%) had grade 1 and 179 (19.7%) had grade 2 or 3. The prevalence of VFA-detected fractures globally increased significantly with age and as BMI and BMD declined. A fracture was identified on VFA in 63 (28.3%) women with normal BMD (8.5% had grade 2/3 VFs) and in 145 (38.5%) with osteopenia (15.7% had grade 2/3 VFs). Stepwise regression analysis showed that presence of VFs was independently related to age, BMI, number of parity, history of peripheral fracture and lumbar spine BMD. ConclusionA high proportion of women with asymptomatic VFs would not receive treatment if screening were based only on BMD evaluation. Our results support the recommendation to enlarge the indications of VFA in the presence of risk factors such as age over 60, multiparity, history of peripheral traumatic fractures and low BMI.

Prevalence of vertebral fractures in a disease activity steered cohort of patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFs) after 5 years of disease activity score (DAS)-steered treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the association of VFs with disease activity, functional ability and bone mineral density (BMD) over time.MethodsFive-year radiographs of the spine of 275 patients in the BeSt study, a randomized trial comparing four treatment strategies, were used. Treatment was DAS-steered (DAS ≤ 2.4). A height reduction >20% in one vertebra was defined a vertebral fracture. With linear mixed models, DAS and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores over 5 years were compared for patients with and without VFs. With generalized estimating equations the association between BMD and VFs was determined.ResultsVFs were observed in 41/275 patients (15%). No difference in prevalence was found when stratified for gender, prednisone use and menopausal status. Disease activity over time was higher in patients with VFs, mean difference 0.20 (95% CI: 0.05-0.36), and also HAQ scores were higher, independent of disease activity, with a mean difference of 0.12 (95% CI: 0.02-0.2). Age was associated with VFs (OR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.09), mean BMD in spine and hip over time were not (OR 95% CI, 0.99: 0.78-1.25 and 0.94: 0.65-1.36, respectively).ConclusionAfter 5 years of DAS-steered treatment, 15% of these RA patients had VFs. Higher age was associated with the presence of VFs, mean BMD in hip and spine were not. Patients with VFs have greater functional disability over time and a higher disease activity, suggesting that VFs may be prevented by optimal disease activity suppression.

Evidence for vitamin D deficiency and increased prevalence of fractures in autoimmune bullous skin diseases

Vitamin D deficiency plays a role in autoimmune diseases and risk of fractures. No data are available on vitamin D levels and vertebral fractures in autoimmune bullous skin diseases. To assess serum vitamin D levels and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and bullous pemphigoid (BP), potentially fatal autoimmune bullous disorders. We studied 13 consecutive inpatients with untreated active PV (six men and seven women, mean ± SD age 53·5 ± 14·3 years), 15 with BP (seven men and eight women, mean ± SD age 76·9 ± 12·4 years) and 28 age-, body mass index- and sex-matched controls. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and presence of vertebral fractures on spinal X-ray were assessed in all subjects. In patients with PV, 25-OHD levels were lower (mean ± SD 12 ± 4·4 ng mL(-1) ) and prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D higher (62%) than in controls (mean ± SD 22·2 ± 11·7 ng mL(-1) , P = 0·012; 23%, P = 0·0047, respectively). The prevalence of fractures was 54% and 31% in patients with PV and controls, respectively. Patients with BP showed lower 25-OHD levels (mean ± SD 9·6 ± 7·2 ng mL(-1) ) and higher prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D (73%) than controls (mean ± SD 22·6 ± 18·7 ng mL(-1) , P = 0·022; 27%, P = 0·01, respectively). The prevalence of fractures tended to be higher in patients with BP than in controls (67% vs. 33%, respectively, P = 0·068). The low 25-OHD levels found in PV and BP may suggest a role for this agent in their pathogenesis. The increased prevalence of fractures should be taken into consideration in patients who must be given corticosteroids.

High Incidence of Vertebral Fractures in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 12 Months After the Initiation of Therapy

Vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis are a potential complication of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To date, the incidence of vertebral fractures during ALL treatment has not been reported. We prospectively evaluated 155 children with ALL during the first 12 months of leukemia therapy. Lateral thoracolumbar spine radiographs were obtained at baseline and 12 months. Vertebral bodies were assessed for incident vertebral fractures using the Genant semiquantitative method, and relevant clinical indices such as spine bone mineral density (BMD), back pain, and the presence of vertebral fractures at baseline were analyzed for association with incident vertebral fractures. Of the 155 children, 25 (16%; 95% CI, 11% to 23%) had a total of 61 incident vertebral fractures, of which 32 (52%) were moderate or severe. Thirteen (52%) of the 25 children with incident vertebral fractures also had fractures at baseline. Vertebral fractures at baseline increased the odds of an incident fracture at 12 months by an odds ratio of 7.3 (95% CI, 2.3 to 23.1; P = .001). In addition, for every one standard deviation reduction in spine BMD Z-score at baseline, there was 1.8-fold increased odds of incident vertebral fracture at 12 months (95% CI, 1.2 to 2.7; P = .006). Children with ALL have a high incidence of vertebral fractures after 12 months of chemotherapy, and the presence of vertebral fractures and reductions in spine BMD Z-scores at baseline are highly associated clinical features.