Comparison of T-scores from different skeletal sites in differentiating postmenopausal women with and without prevalent vertebral fractures.

It is not clear how bone mineral density (BMD) measurements from several regions of lumbar spine and proximal femur should be utilized in assessing fracture risk. We examined how well the newest ISCD recommendations differentiate subjects with and without prevalent vertebral fractures in 187 postmenopausal women presenting for routine bone densitometry. The association between T-scores from proximal femur and lumbar spine sites and the probability of having a vertebral fracture was modeled via logistic regression with adjustment for age. The lowest T-score of any hip or spine sites (the current ISCD recommendation) and the proximal femur measurements, particularly the femoral neck and total hip, displayed the strongest association with the probability of vertebral fractures.Subjects with a T-score < -2.5 at multiple hip sites had a higher probability of having a vertebral fracture. The sensitivity and specificity associated with particular T-score cutoff values varied greatly depending on the site of measurement.Consequently, T-score values from different sites that had comparable sensitivity/specificity for detecting the presence of vertebral fractures differed by as much as 1.5 T-score units. This finding implies that a single cutoff value, such as -2.5, might not be clinically acceptable when applied to T-scores from different sites.     

肱骨近端、髋部骨折老年女性骨密度和骨代谢指标对比研究

目的对髋部、肱骨近端骨折老年女性的骨密度和骨代谢指标进行对比分析,进一步揭示上述骨折部位女性患者骨密度和骨代谢指标特征性变化情况。方法经患者及家属同意,共纳入62例老年髋部骨折女性患者(其中股骨颈骨折39例,股骨粗隆间骨折23例)、肱骨近端骨折21例,收集患者年龄、检测患者骨密度、血清骨转换指标(Ⅰ型胶原氨基端延长肽,P1NP;Ⅰ型胶原C端肽β降解产物,β-CTX)。结果肱骨近端骨折女性患者平均年龄为(66.1±8.0)岁,明显小于股骨颈骨折、粗隆间骨折女性患者(P<0.05);肱骨近端骨折女性髋部(T=-1.19±0.66)、腰椎骨密度(T=-1.67±1.00)明显高于粗隆间骨折女性髋部(T=-2.36±1.17)、腰椎骨密度(T=-2.61±1.42)(P<0.05),同时显著高于股骨颈骨折患者髋部骨密度(T=-2.33±0.99)。股骨颈骨折、股骨粗隆间骨折患者髋部、腰椎骨密度相比差异无统计学意义;三组间血清P1NP比较差异没有统计学意义,粗隆间骨折女性血清β-CTX(732.18±334.37μg/L)要明显高于肱骨近端骨折患者(529.66±292.34μg/L)(P<0.05)。结论相对于髋部骨折患者,肱骨近端骨折老年女性患者年龄较低,骨密度相对较高;骨吸收活跃可能是导致粗隆间骨折女性骨密度下降的原因。     

Bilateral pedicle stress fracture in a patient with osteoporotic compression fracture

A case of bilateral pedicle stress fracture of L4 in a patient with osteoporotic compression fracture of L5 and without a history of major trauma or surgery is reported, and the literature is reviewed. Bilateral pedicle fracture is a rare entity and few cases have been reported in the literature. All reported cases had some underlying causative factors like previous spine surgery or stress related activities. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, only one case of bilateral pedicle stress fracture without a history of trauma, previous spine surgery, or stress-related activities has been reported. A 77-year-old woman presented with severe low back pain and radiating pain in the right leg that was exacerbated after standing and walking. Plain radiograph showed pathological fracture at L5 level. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the compression of dural sac at L5 level. CT scan taken 3 months after admission revealed bilateral pedicle fractures through L4. The patient was treated with decompressive laminectomies of L4, followed by posterior spinal fusion with rigid pedicle screw fixation and autogenous bone graft mixed with hydroxyapatite. The patient achieved pain relief and returned to normal activity. Stress fracture of the pedicle within the proximal vertebra of an osteoporotic compression fracture of lumbar spine is an uncommon entity. It may, however, be an additional source of symptoms in patients with osteoporosis who present with further back pain. Surgeons caring for this group of patients should be aware of this condition.     

The Utility of Portable Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry of the Wrist in Patients Referred to a Bone Health Clinic: A Pilot Study

Fifty white female patients referred to a bone health care clinic were studied. Patients with a history of fracture were excluded. At the time of hip and spine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), those willing underwent portable dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDXA) of the wrist. The mean age of the patients was 57 yr. Bone mineral density (BMD) assessment was performed on each patient at four different sites: posterior-anterior lumbar spine, nondominant hip, the distal radius and ulna, and the proximal radius and ulna of the nondominant arm. Comparison of the pDXA results with that of the conventional DXA results showed the highest correlation between pDXA of the distal radius and ulna (DR + U) and the DXA of the femoral neck and lumbar spine. By defining a pDXA (DR + U) T-score 相似文献   

Differences in Site-Specific Fracture Risk Among Older Women with Discordant Results for Osteoporosis at Hip and Spine: Study of Osteoporotic Fractures

To examine the fracture pattern in older women whose bone mineral density (BMD) T-score criteria for osteoporosis at hip and spine disagree, hip and spine BMD were measured in Study of Osteoporotic Fractures participants using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Hip osteoporosis was defined as T-score ≤−2.5 at femoral neck or total hip, and spine osteoporosis as T-score ≤−2.5 at lumbar spine. Incident clinical fractures were self-reported and centrally adjudicated. Incident radiographic spine fractures were defined morphometrically. Compared to women with osteoporosis at neither hip nor spine, those osteoporotic only at hip had a 3.0-fold age- and weight-adjusted increased risk for hip fracture (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4–3.6), and smaller increases in risk of nonhip nonspine (hazard ratios [HR] = 1.6), clinical spine (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2), and radiographic spine fractures (OR = 1.5). Women osteoporotic only at spine had a 2.8-fold increased odds of radiographic spine fracture (95% CI: 2.1–3.8), and smaller increases in risk of clinical spine (OR = 1.4), nonhip nonspine (HR = 1.6), and hip fractures (HR = 1.2). Discordant BMD results predict different fracture patterns. DXA fracture risk estimation in these patients should be site specific. Women osteoporotic only at spine would not have been identified from hip BMD measurement alone, and may have a sufficiently high fracture risk to warrant preventive treatment.     

Total hip arthroplasty outcomes correlate with spine disability

Functional deficits persist in a significant percentage of total hip arthroplasties (THA), leading to patient dissatisfaction. Spinal stenosis is a leading cause of chronic disability and lower extremity weakness. Although previous studies have evaluated the potential benefit of THA on back pain, none have reported the effects of spine disability on functional outcomes and patient satisfaction with THA. A total of 244 primary THAs (233 patients) with minimum 2-year follow-up rated their satisfaction, return to activity, and standard hip outcomes using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). History of lumbar spine pain, lumbar surgery, and daily activity limitations was documented and an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was calculated. Out of 244, 151 (62%) patients reported a history of back problems: 35 patients (14%)—history of lumbar surgery, 91 (37%)—daily low back pain, and 97 (40%)—back pain that limited activity. Patients with a history of back problems had lower OHS scores than those without back pain, p = 0.0001. Patients with daily low back pain or low back pain that limited activity had lower OHS scores, p < 0.0001. Increasing spine disability, as determined by ODI, correlated with poor OHS, p < 0.0001. Spine disability (ODI) was directly associated with patient dissatisfaction for pain relief (R = 0.41, p < 0.0001), return to activity (R = 0.34, p < 0.0001), and overall surgical results (ODI, R = 0.38, p < 0.0001) at 2 years after THA. ODI correlated strongly with poor THA outcomes. In conclusion, lumbar spine disability correlated directly with poor Oxford Hip Scores. Spine disability was directly associated with THA patient dissatisfaction with pain relief, return to activity, and overall outcome of surgery. This study demonstrates that poor functional results in THA patients correlate directly with spine disability.     

Heel ultrasonography is not a good screening tool for bone loss after kidney and pancreas transplantation

BACKGROUND: Solid organ transplant recipients, particularly simultaneous pancreas kidney recipients, are at high fracture risk. We tested whether quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) of the heel predicts bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in solid organ transplant recipients. METHODS: Thirty-eight transplant recipients (22 Female/16 Male) were studied. Spine and hip BMD was measured with a Hologic DXA scanner. 'Stiffness' of the heel was measured with a Lunar Ultrasound densitometer and compared with BMD by DXA. Contributing factors to bone loss were also assessed. RESULTS: Mean age was 43.1 +/- 1.3 yr. Simultaneous pancreas-kidney, kidney, and pancreas alone transplant recipients were assessed. Mean time post-transplantation was 3.0 +/- 0.6 yr. Mean DXA spine T-score was -1.15 +/- 0.22 (mean +/- SEM) and hip T-score was -1.22 +/- 0.20. There was no difference in mean T-score between women and men at the hip or spine. Mean right heel stiffness T-score was -0.97 +/- 0.25. There was no correlation between QUS and DXA at either the hip or spine in women or men. QUS had a false negative rate for identifying osteopenia or osteoporosis of 17% compared with DXA. The false positive rate for identifying osteopenia was 61%. CONCLUSIONS: The QUS is an unacceptable tool for identifying those at risk for bone loss after kidney or pancreas transplantation.     

Use of Lowest Single Lumbar Spine Vertebra Bone Mineral Density T-Score and Other T-Score Approaches for Diagnosing Osteoporosis and Relationships with Vertebral Fracture Status

For diagnosing osteoporosis, International Society for Clinical Densitometry guidelines suggest using the lowest bone mineral density T-score of the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), or total hip (TH). For the LS, use of the total spine (L1–L4) T-score is suggested. Although controversial, some authors have suggested using a single lumbar vertebra of L1–L4 with the lowest T-score to diagnose osteoporosis. We compared the ability of various T-score approaches [lowest single LS vertebra of L1–L4; total spine; FN; TH; and the lowest T-score of total spine, FN, or TH to diagnose osteoporosis in 2560 postmenopausal women from the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation trial placebo group. The discriminatory ability of each T-score approach to identify women with or without vertebral fracture was compared using the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve. When the lowest single LS T-score of L1–L4 and the total spine T-score were used, 77% and 57% of women were categorized as having osteoporosis, respectively. These T-score approaches had similar ability for discriminating between women with or without prevalent vertebral fractures and for predicting the risk of incident vertebral fractures. The lowest single LS vertebra T-score identified a greater proportion of women with osteoporosis than currently accepted approaches. Thus, the WHO diagnostic classification should not be applied to single vertebral T-scores. This analysis supports the current International Society for Clinical Densitometry position to use the total spine T-score for osteoporosis diagnosis.     

Comparative effects of densitometric and absolute fracture risk classification systems on projected intervention rates in postmenopausal women.

It is important to understand how the move to absolute fracture risk estimation will affect patient categorization. We retrospectively compared categorization systems in 17,053 women aged 50 yr and older from a large referral database of clinical bone mineral density (BMD) tests. Densitometric systems (femoral neck alone or minimum value from spine, total hip, femoral neck, and trochanter) were taken to indicate high risk based upon T-score -2.5 or lower. Ten-year absolute fracture risk of the hip, spine, wrist, and proximal humerus was estimated from T-score and age, and a value greater than 20% was taken to indicate high risk. Using the femoral neck only, the densitometric system assigned 16.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.8-17.0%) of the entire study population to the high-risk category, whereas the 10-yr absolute fracture risk system using age and femoral neck T-score classified 20.3% (95% CI: 19.7-20.9, p<0.0001) as high risk. When minimum T-score was used, the rates of high risk were similar using both approaches (31.4% [95% CI: 30.7-32.1] with the densitometric system vs 30.9% [95% CI: 30.2-31.6] for the 10-yr fracture risk system, p>0.2). A 10-yr absolute fracture risk cutoff of 20% produced the best overall agreement with the densitometric systems. Below age 65 yr, the 10-yr fracture risk system resulted in a lower rate of high-risk categorization than the densitometric system. The profile reversed after age 65 yr, with a greater proportion considered high risk in the 10-yr fracture risk system compared to the densitometric system.     

Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry T-Score Concordance and Discordance Between Hip and Spine Measurement Sites

T-score discordance is observed when the difference between the hip and spine are sufficient to result in the two measurement sites falling into two different diagnoses as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system. This article examines the prevalence of patterns of T-score discordance between the total hip and PA L1-L4 total spine sites in 5051 female patients undergoing dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density testing at a community-based outpatient osteoporosis testing center between 1989 and 1999. Data for all patients was stored in a relational database that was searched for various combinations of T-scores reflecting the nine possible discordant and concordant permutations of normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. The WHO diagnostic classification system for osteoporosis categorizes patients into three diagnoses-normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis-and is based upon their T-score. This system was used to determine the patient diagnoses for the various T-score results in the PA L1-L4 lumbar spine and total hip. Concordance was defined as present when the spine and hip T-score placed the patient in the same diagnostic class. Minor discordance was defined as present when the difference between two sites is no more than one WHO diagnostic class. Major discordance was defined as present when one site is osteoporotic and the other site is normal. The results showed that in 56% of the cases the T-score concordance was present between the hip and the spine, 39% of the time minor discordance was observed, and 5% of the time major discordance was found. Discordance was also classified into five etiological types: physiologic, pathophysiologic, anatomic, artifactual, and technical. In summary, this data analysis showed that while T-score concordance is most commonly observed, minor discordance is seen in about two out of every five patients tested with DXA between the spine and hip sites. Major discordance was uncommon, being found in only 1 out of every 20 patients tested.     

Utility of Spine Bone Mineral Density in Fracture Prediction Within FRAX

Predicting individuals at risk for fracturing and modifying that risk are important in preventative health. Our aim was to quantify the impact of spine bone mineral density (BMD) on fracture risk prediction and determine the positive predictive value of fracture prediction using the lowest BMD value at the femoral neck, total hip, or lumbar spine. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 15,033 women was performed, assessing the contribution of age, body mass index, number of clinical risk factors, T-score, and osteoporosis category to the presence of fracture. In patients whose lumbar spine T-scores are 1 or 2 osteoporosis categories lower than femoral neck, there is an approximately 30% increased risk of fracture compared with the femoral neck alone. For patients younger than 60 yr, the odds ratio of having a fracture based on the presence of lumbar spine osteoporosis was greater than that based on femoral neck osteoporosis. Osteoporosis at the total hip correlated best with the presence of fracture. When using FRAX, we recommend that the 10-yr fracture prediction be adjusted when lumbar spine T-score is 1–2 osteoporosis categories lower than the femoral neck T-score or when lumbar spine T-score is ≥1 standard deviation less than femoral neck T-score.     

Use of the Lowest Vertebral Body T-Score to Diagnose Lumbar Osteoporosis in Men: Is “Cherry Picking” Appropriate?

In this study, we hypothesized that use of the lowest T-score among four lumbar vertebral bodies would lessen the impact of degenerative arthritis and other artifacts on diagnostic categorization at this site and increase study sensitivity, classifying more men with prior fracture as osteoporotic than the other two methods of lumbar spine analysis. Bone density studies of 533 male veterans measured between January and October 2002 were reviewed to determine diagnostic classification using the L1-L4 average, International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD)-determined, and lowest lumbar vertebral body T-score. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of the three methods of spine analysis, using spine osteoporosis to indicate a positive test and prior fracture as the true indicator of osteoporosis. The lowest lumbar T-score performed with similar sensitivity and specificity to that of the lowest hip or wrist T-score in the ability to classify men with prior fracture as osteoporotic, whereas the average L1-L4 and ISCD-determined T-scores performed with lower sensitivity, but better specificity. In conclusion, this retrospective study suggests that use of the lowest vertebral body T-score among men increases diagnostic sensitivity of lumbar spine bone mass measurement. Prospective studies are needed to determine which of these three methods of lumbar spine analysis best predicts future fragility fracture in men and women.     

Effect of precision error on T-scores and the diagnostic classification of bone status.

We quantified confidence intervals (CIs) for T-scores for the lumbar spine and hip and determined the practical effect (impact on diagnosis) of variability around the T-score cutpoint of -2.5. Using precision data from the literature for GE Lunar Prodigy dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) systems, the 95% CI for the T-score was +/-0.23 at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), +/- 0.20 at the total hip, and +/-0.41 at the femoral neck. Thus, T-score variations of +/-0.23 or less at the spine, +/-0.20 at the total hip, and +/-0.41 at the femoral neck are not statistically significant. When diagnosing osteoporosis, T-scores in the interval -2.3 to -2.7 for spine or total hip (after rounding to conform to guidelines from the International Society for Clinical Densitometry) and -2.1 to -2.9 for femoral neck are not statistically different from -2.5. Better precision values resulted in smaller 95% CIs. This concept was applied to actual clinical data using Hologic DXA systems. The study cohort comprised 2388 white women with either normal or osteopenic spines in whom the densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis would be determined by hip T-scores. When evaluating actual patient T-scores in the range -2.5+/-95% CI, we found that the diagnosis was indeterminate in approximately 12% of women when T-scores for femoral neck were used and in 4% of women when T-scores for total hip were used, with uncertainty as to whether the classification was osteopenia or osteoporosis. We conclude that precision influences the variability around T-scores and that this variability affects the reliability of diagnostic classification.     

A limp in a pregnant woman as a first presentation of celiac disease

A 25-year-old Arab woman, reported to our endocrinology clinic one month post-partum presenting with back pain and a limp that started during the seventh month of pregnancy. Upon examination, she was found to have a full range of motion and no tenderness in the hip joint or lower back. The pain was aggravated by walking. She had a limping gait with a lean to her right side. She had low calcium, low hemoglobin, high parathyroid hormone and high alkaline phosphatase levels. X-rays of her hip and lumbosacral areas were normal. Her spinal magnetic resonance imaging findings were also normal. A bone mineral density (BMD) study revealed severe osteoporosis with a lumbar spine T-score of -4.6 and femoral neck T-scores of -4.1 (left) and -3.9 (right). A celiac disease work-up included tests for anti-endomysial antibodies and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies, which were positive, and the results of an endoscopy and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of celiac disease. Gluten-free diet with calcium and vitamin D supplementation resulted in the complete resolution of her symptoms and a normal gait. The patient returned to normal calcium and parathyroid hormone levels and experienced a significant improvement in her BMD to normal. Celiac disease may initially presents during pregnancy result in severe osteoporosis that causes significant pain and disability.     

A Comparison of a Peripheral DXA System with Conventional Densitometry of the Spine and Femur

Because of the perceived high cost of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) studies of the spine and femur, there is renewed interest in small, low-cost X-ray devices for scanning the peripheral skeleton. We have compared forearm bone mineral density (BMD) measurements (distal and ultradistal sites) performed on a DTX-200 (Osteometer MediTech, Hoersholm, Denmark) with spine (L1-L4) and femur (femoral neck and total hip sites) scans performed on a QDR-4500 (Hologic, Waltham, MA) in 172 white UK women aged 22-84 yr with a view to establishing differences caused by inconsistent reference ranges and different age-related changes in BMD. All BMDs were expressed as T-scores using the manufacturers' reference ranges for the forearm and spine, and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) ranges for the femur. Linear regression between peripheral and axial sites gave correlation coefficients r = 0.71-0.74 and roof mean standard errors (RMSE) 0.88-1.14 in T-score units. Subjects were divided into the following five age groups: <40 yr; 40-49 yr; 50-59 yr; 60-69 yr and >/=70 yr. A large systematic difference between distal and ultradistal T-scores (mean DeltaT = 0.59, SEM = 0.05) was found affecting all age groups. When the mean difference in T-score between each forearm site (distal, ultradistal) and each axial site (spine, femoral neck, total hip) was examined for premenopausal subjects (n = 58) the mean difference between forearm and axial T-score showed a consistent negative offset (DeltaT = -0.41 to -0.48) for the distal forearm site and a consistent positive offset (DeltaT = +0.30 to +0.37) for the ultradistal site. When interpreting results in postmenopausal women, age-related T-score changes in the forearm were in close agreement with the femoral neck region of exterest (ROI), but systematic differences were found between the forearm and the spine and total hip sites. The two forearm and three axial sites were compared to evaluate the number of postmenopausal subjects identified as osteoporotic on the basis of the World Health Organization (WHO) Study Group criteria (T-score <-2.5). Although forearm and spine T-scores identified approximately equal numbers of subjects as osteoporotic (distal 38/114; ultradistal 31/114; spine 30/114), the two femur sites identified fewer subjects as osteoporotic (femoral neck 25/114; total hip 16/114). The number for the total hip site was statistically significantly smaller than the spine and forearm sites.     

Utility of heel ultrasound bone density in men.

In women, heel ultrasound (US) bone mineral density (BMD) has been shown to predict fracture risk, but the usefulness of this screening tool in men is not known. We measured the heel quantitative ultrasound index (QUI( in a convenience sample 185 of men (136 Caucasian, 1 Asian, and 48 African-American) with an average age of 63 yr (range of 25-85) undergoing BMD of the spine and hip by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to determine whether the heel measurement could predict central BMD. The average DXA T-score was -0.97, -1.20, and -1.61 for the spine, total hip, and femoral neck, respectively. The mean heel US BMD T-score (using the only available T-score, which was defined for Caucasian postmenopausal women) was -0.92. There were significant correlations among the various DXA measurements and the heel US BMD T-score (r = 0.373-0.483, p < 0.001). We defined arbitrarily osteopenia as a spine, total hip, or femoral neck T-score by DXA of < -1.5. We also made two different arbitrary definitions of osteoporosis by DXA: < -2.0 and < -2.5. Using these numbers as disease definitions, we determined the specificity, sensitivity, as well as positive and negative predictive values of using the heel US T-score to predict osteopenia or osteoporosis. Using various cutoffs for the heel T-score, we found that increasing the cutoff toward 0 increased the sensitivity but lowered the specificity. No cutoff was found that provided both good sensitivity and specificity. By analyzing the men by ethnic and age groups, we found that the best set of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was derived from data using heel US to predict osteopenia and osteoporosis in men younger than age 65, although the areas under the ROC curve were approx 0.8. In conclusion, despite a strong correlation between the heel QUI and the spine and hip BMD by DXA, no heel T-score could predict osteopenia or osteoporosis with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. It is possible that the use of risk factor assessment plus heel QUI might have better predictive value, and further studies are needed to determine whether heel QUI or other US determination is an independent risk factor for fracture in men.     

Clinical Characteristics and Fracture Patterns Among Postmenopausal Women with Isolated Osteoporosis at the Forearm

Patients found to have isolated osteoporosis at the 1/3 radius (1/3RO) represent a therapeutic dilemma. It is unknown whether 1/3RO is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures, and is therefore unclear whether these patients should be treated similarly to those with osteoporosis at central sites. This retrospective study investigated the clinical significance of 1/3RO by comparing medical history, fracture prevalence, areal BMD, and Trabecular Bone Score in postmenopausal women with 1/3RO (n = 107) to age-matched women with osteoporosis at the hip and/or spine (PMO, n = 214), and to controls without osteoporosis at any site (n = 214). We then compared the clinical and densitometric characteristics among women with 1/3RO according to fracture history. The mean age of the 535 women included in the study was 71 ± 8 yr. Women with 1/3RO had BMD in the osteopenic range at all other sites (mean spine T-score = -1.0, total hip = -1.4, femoral neck = -1.7). Women with 1/3RO reported similar calcium and vitamin D intake, prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and other comorbidities compared to the other groups. The prevalence of an osteoporotic fracture of the spine, hip, wrist, or humerus tended to be higher among women with PMO compared to 1/3RO or controls (PMO: 31%, 1/3RO: 21%, Controls: 23%, p = 0.07). Among women with 1/3RO, fracture prevalence was related to older age. No other clinical characteristic distinguished women with and without fracture. Neither BMD at other sites nor TBS differed according to fracture history. Among postmenopausal women with 1/3RO, those who are older are at an increased risk of fracture, even when T-scores at other sites are well above the osteoporosis threshold. Additional research is needed to confirm our results, and to assess whether treatment should be considered to reduce fracture risk in older women with 1/3RO.     

Prevalence of vertebral compression fracture deformity by X-ray absorptiometry of lateral thoracic and lumbar spines in a population referred for bone densitometry.

The presence of a vertebral compression fracture has been demonstrated to be a predictor of future fracture independent of bone mineral density in prospective cohort studies. Fan-beam densitometers are now available that can image the thoracic and lumbar spines and detect deformities consistent with fracture. We report a pilot study of 342 patients referred for bone densitometry who had lateral vertebral imaging performed. Fifty patients (14.6%) of the entire cohort had one or more vertebral deformities identified on lateral vertebral imaging. Seventy-three patients (21.3%) of the entire cohort were 60 or more years of age and had osteopenia by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (T-score: -1.0 to -2.4 at the spine, total hip, or femoral neck). Twenty of these patients (27.4%) had one or more vertebral deformities. Without identifying prevalent vertebral deformities, these individuals at high risk for fracture may not be offered pharmacologic therapy to reduce fracture risk. Therefore, it may be reasonable to obtain lateral vertebral imaging at least for individuals age > or =60 yr who have mild to moderate bone loss at the spine or hip.     

The prevalence of vertebral fracture amongst patients presenting with non-vertebral fractures

Introduction Despite vertebral fracture being a significant risk factor for further fracture, vertebral fractures are often unrecognised. A study was therefore conducted to determine the proportion of patients presenting with a non-vertebral fracture who also have an unrecognised vertebral fracture. Methods Prospective study of patients presenting with a non-vertebral fracture in South Glasgow who underwent DXA evaluation with vertebral morphometry (MXA) from DV5/6 to LV4/5. Vertebral deformities (consistent with fracture) were identified by direct visualisation using the Genant semi-quantitative grading scale. Results Data were available for 337 patients presenting with low trauma non-vertebral fracture; 261 were female. Of all patients, 10.4% were aged 50–64 years, 53.2% were aged 65–74 years and 36.2% were aged 75 years or over. According to WHO definitions, 35.0% of patients had normal lumbar spine BMD (T-score −1 or above), 37.4% were osteopenic (T-score −1.1 to −2.4) and 27.6% osteoporotic (T-score −2.5 or lower). Humerus (n=103, 31%), radius–ulna (n=90, 27%) and hand/foot (n=53, 16%) were the most common fractures. For 72% of patients (n=241) the presenting fracture was the first low trauma fracture to come to clinical attention. The overall prevalence of vertebral deformity established by MXA was 25% (n=83); 45% (n=37) of patients with vertebral deformity had deformities of more than one vertebra. Of the patients with vertebral deformity and readable scans for grading, 72.5% (58/80) had deformities of grade 2 or 3. Patients presenting with hip fracture, or spine T-score ≤−2.5, or low BMI, or with more than one prior non-vertebral fracture were all significantly more likely to have evidence of a prevalent vertebral deformity (p<0.05). However, 19.8% of patients with an osteopenic T-score had a vertebral deformity (48% of which were multiple), and 16.1% of patients with a normal T-score had a vertebral deformity (26.3% of which were multiple). Following non-vertebral fracture, some guidelines suggest that anti-resorptive therapy should be reserved for patients with DXA-proven osteoporosis. However, patients who have one or more prior vertebral fractures (prevalent at the time of their non-vertebral fracture) would also become candidates for anti-resorptive therapy—which would have not been the case had their vertebral fracture status not been known. Overall in this study, 8.9% of patients are likely to have had a change in management by virtue of their underlying vertebral deformity status. In other words, 11 patients who present with a non-vertebral fracture would need to undergo vertebral morphometry in order to identify one patient who ought to be managed differently. Conclusions Our results support the recommendation to perform vertebral morphometry in patients who are referred for DXA after experiencing a non-vertebral fracture. Treatment decisions will then better reflect any given patient’s future absolute fracture risk. The 'Number Needed to Screen' if vertebral morphometry is used in this way would be seven to identify one patient with vertebral deformity, and 14 to identify one patient with two or more vertebral deformities. Although carrying out MXA will increase radiation exposure for the patient, this increased exposure is significantly less than would be obtained if X-rays of the dorso-lumbar spine were obtained.     

Vertebral fractures in Beijing, China: the Beijing Osteoporosis Project.

Women in China have much lower risk of hip fracture than women in Europe or North America but their risk of vertebral fractures is not known. Lateral spine radiographs, hip and lumbar spine bone density, and potential risk factors for and consequences of vertebral fractures were assessed in a random sample of 402 women age 50 years or older living in Beijing, China. The prevalence of vertebral fractures, defined by vertebral morphometry, increased from 5% (95% CI, 1-9%) in 50- to 59-year olds to 37% (27-46%) among women age 80 years or older. The age-standardized prevalence of vertebral fractures was 5.5% lower than found by similar methods for women in Rochester, MN, U.S.A. Each SD lower spine bone mineral density (BMD) was associated with a 2.4-fold (1.7-3.5) increased odds of having a vertebral fracture. Women with a history of heavy physical labor had a lower risk of vertebral fractures. Vertebral fractures were associated with decreased height loss and limited physical function but not chronic back pain. Women in Beijing, China have lower bone density and a slightly lower rate of vertebral fracture than white women in the United States. Low bone density and more sedentary occupations increase the risk of fracture in women living in urban China.