Prevalence of Undiagnosed Vertebral Fractures Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Their Association With Chronic Back Pain and Clinical Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Study in Egypt.

Ibrahim Emam, Kholoud; Ali Nagi, Mona; Ahmed Abdulrahman, Samia; Abdelzaher Ibrahim, Abeer

doi:10.21608/ejgg.2024.451166

Prevalence of Undiagnosed Vertebral Fractures Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Their Association With Chronic Back Pain and Clinical Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Study in Egypt.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Geriatrics and Gerontology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

² Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/ejgg.2024.451166

Abstract

Objective: Vertebral fractures are the most prevalent subtype of fragility fractures and are associated with an elevated risk of subsequent fractures and mortality. Their risk varies by population, influenced by lifestyle, healthcare access, and ethnicity. So, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of undetected vertebral fractures and assess their association with chronic back pain and clinical characteristics among community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 individuals aged ≥60 years attending geriatric outpatient clinics in Ain Shams University Hospital. Participants underwent clinical assessment, laboratory testing, and lateral thoraco-lumbar spine X-ray (T4–L4). Vertebral fractures were identified based on a ≥20% reduction in vertebral body height. Sociodemographic, clinical, and functional data were collected. Results: The mean age of the participants was 71.51 ± 7.3 years (range: 60–93 years), and 59.3% were females. Vertebral fractures were identified in 52.1% of participants, with the lumbar spine most frequently affected (50.7%)., No significant associations were observed between VFs and age, gender, BMI, or most comorbidities. Use of calcium (p = 0.039) and vitamin D supplements (p = 0.017) was significantly lower among those with fractures. Chronic back pain and general spine tenderness were not predictive of VFs; however, thoracic spine tenderness showed a significant association (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence and potential predictors of osteoporotic vertebral fractures among elderly patients in Egypt. The absence of significant associations with chronic back pain reinforces the silent and often overlooked nature of these fractures.

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