Spine radiographs to improve the identification of women at high risk for fractures

Summary: In women older than 60 years with clinical risk factors for osteoporosis but without osteoporosis based on bone mineral density (T-score ≥ -2.5), a systematic survey with X-rays of the spine identified previously unknown vertebral deformities in 21% of women. Introduction: This study determines the prevalence of vertebral deformities in elderly women with clinical risk factors for osteoporosis but with BMD values above the threshold for osteoporosis (T-score ≥ -2.5). Methods: Bisphosphonate naïve women older than 60 years attending 35 general practices in the Netherlands with ≥2 clinical risk factors for osteoporosis were invited for BMD measurement (DXA). In women with T-score ≥ -2.5 at both spine and the hips, lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were performed. Results: Of 631 women with a DXA measurement, 187 (30%) had osteoporosis (T-score < -2.5 at the spine or the hip). Of the remaining 444 women with T-score ≥ -2.5 at both spine and hip, 387 had additional spine radiographs, of whom 80 (21%) had at least one vertebral deformity. Conclusion: In elderly women with clinical risk factors for osteoporosis but BMD T-score ≥ -2.5, addition of spine radiographs identified vertebral deformities in 21% (95% CI: 17-25). Since these women are at risk of future fractures, antiosteoporotic treatment should be considered.

• View at Publisher
• View at Pubmed
• View at Scopus
• View at Web of Science