Self-reported everyday physical activities in older people with osteoporotic vertebral fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Daily Pain Severity but Not Vertebral Fractures Is Associated With Lower Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Women With Back Pain

Back pain lifetime incidence is 60%-70%, while 12%-20% of older women have vertebral fractures (VFs), often with back pain. We aimed to provide objective evidence, currently lacking, regarding whether back pain and VFs affect physical activity (PA). We recruited 69 women with recent back pain (age 74.5 ± 5.4 years). Low- (0.5 < g < 1.0), medium- (1.0 ≤ g < 1.5), and high-impact (g ≥ 1.5) PA and walking time were measured (100 Hz for 7 days, hip-worn accelerometer). Linear mixed-effects models assessed associations between self-reported pain and PA, and group differences (VFs from spine radiographs/no-VF) in PA. Higher daily pain was associated with reduced low (β = -0.12, 95% confidence interval, [-0.22, -0.03], p = .013) and medium-impact PA (β = -0.11, 95% confidence interval, [-0.21, -0.01], p = .041), but not high-impact PA or walking time (p > .11). VFs were not associated with PA (all p > .2). Higher daily pain levels but not VFs were associated with reduced low- and medium-impact PA, which could increase sarcopenia and falls risk in older women with back pain.

New Insights in the Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, and Response to Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

CONTEXT

Vertebral fractures (VFs) make up an important but challenging group of fractures often caused by osteoporosis. Osteoporotic fractures pose unique diagnostic challenges in generally requiring imaging for diagnosis. The objective of this narrative mini-review is to provide an overview of these recent advances in our knowledge of VF pathophysiology and epidemiology with particular focus on endocrine diseases, prevention, and treatment.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We searched PubMed on May 23, 2022, for studies of VFs in humans. Results were limited to papers available as full-text publications in English, published from 2020 and onward. This yielded 3457 citations. This was supplemented by earlier publications selected to add context to the recent findings.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Studies addressed VF risk in hyperthyreosis, hyperparathyroidism, acromegaly, Cushing syndrome, primary aldosteronism, and diabetes. For pharmaceutical treatment, new studies or analyses were identified for romosozumab and for weekly teriparatide. Several studies, including studies in the immediate pipeline, were intervention studies with vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, including combination with stem cells or pharmaceuticals.

CONCLUSIONS

Endocrinologists should be aware of the high likelihood of osteoporotic VFs in patients with endocrine diseases. Though licensed treatments are able to substantially reduce the occurrence of VFs in patients with osteoporosis, the vast majority of recent or ongoing randomized controlled trials in the VF area focus on advanced invasive therapy of the fracture itself.

Health, social care and technological interventions to improve functional ability of older adults living at home: An evidence and gap map

Background

By 2030, the global population of people older than 60 years is expected to be higher than the number of children under 10 years, resulting in major health and social care system implications worldwide. Without a supportive environment, whether social or built, diminished functional ability may arise in older people. Functional ability comprises an individual's intrinsic capacity and people's interaction with their environment enabling them to be and do what they value.

Objectives

This evidence and gap map aims to identify primary studies and systematic reviews of health and social support services as well as assistive devices designed to support functional ability among older adults living at home or in other places of residence.

Search Methods

We systematically searched from inception to August 2018 in: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AgeLine, Campbell Library, ASSIA, Social Science Citation Index and Social Policy & Practice. We conducted a focused search for grey literature and protocols of studies (e.g., ProQuest Theses and Dissertation Global, conference abstract databases, Help Age, PROSPERO, Cochrane and Campbell libraries and ClinicalTrials.gov).

Selection Criteria

Screening and data extraction were performed independently in duplicate according to our intervention and outcome framework. We included completed and on-going systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials of effectiveness on health and social support services provided at home, assistive products and technology for personal indoor and outdoor mobility and transportation as well as design, construction and building products and technology of buildings for private use such as wheelchairs, and ramps.

Data Collection and Analysis

We coded interventions and outcomes, and the number of studies that assessed health inequities across equity factors. We mapped outcomes based on the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) adapted categories: intrinsic capacities (body function and structures) and functional abilities (activities). We assessed methodological quality of systematic reviews using the AMSTAR II checklist.

Main Results

After de-duplication, 10,783 records were screened. The map includes 548 studies (120 systematic reviews and 428 randomized controlled trials). Interventions and outcomes were classified using domains from the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Most systematic reviews (n = 71, 59%) were rated low or critically low for methodological quality.The most common interventions were home-based rehabilitation for older adults (n = 276) and home-based health services for disease prevention (n = 233), mostly delivered by visiting healthcare professionals (n = 474). There was a relative paucity of studies on personal mobility, building adaptations, family support, personal support and befriending or friendly visits. The most measured intrinsic capacity domains were mental function (n = 269) and neuromusculoskeletal function (n = 164). The most measured outcomes for functional ability were basic needs (n = 277) and mobility (n = 160). There were few studies which evaluated outcome domains of social participation, financial security, ability to maintain relationships and communication.There was a lack of studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and a gap in the assessment of health equity issues.

Authors' Conclusions

There is substantial evidence for interventions to promote functional ability in older adults at home including mostly home-based rehabilitation for older adults and home-based health services for disease prevention. Remotely delivered home-based services are of greater importance to policy-makers and practitioners in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This map of studies published prior to the pandemic provides an initial resource to identify relevant home-based services which may be of interest for policy-makers and practitioners, such as home-based rehabilitation and social support, although these interventions would likely require further adaptation for online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need to strengthen assessment of social support and mobility interventions and outcomes related to making decisions, building relationships, financial security, and communication in future studies. More studies are needed to assess LMIC contexts and health equity issues.

Evaluation of Physical Activity in Moroccan Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

Introduction: The purpose of our study is to compare between physical activity (PA) in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures and healthy women and to evaluate the relationship between PA and clinical and paraclinical parameters related to osteoporotic fracture. Methods: A case-control cross- sectional study, which included 128 postmenopausal women with densitometric osteoporosis as defined by Worlds Health Organization, with at least one radiological vertebral fracture. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version with three items: vigorous, moderate activity and walking. Bone mineral density (BMD) and X-rays were performed in all patients. The controls were healthy women included in a randomized order in the general population, they were matched for age. Results: 128 patients with a mean age of 61.01± 8.40 years were included. 100 controls were included with a mean age of 60.61 ± 8.25 years. The patients had a median age of menopausal of 48.90 years [48-50], were osteoporotic in 49.2% and had osteopenia in 34.9%. 84 patients had a current back pain, and an average of three vertebral fracture with a median Genant score of 3.02[1-23]. There was no significant difference between the subjects of our study for total PA. However, vigorous-intensity activity and walking were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05). Three independent factors were associated with a reduction of total physical activity: age, Genant score and physical function (for all p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, a significant association between total physical activity and age (p=0.003), trochanter BMD (p=0.01), Genant score (p=0.02) and physical function (2nd domain QUALEFFO) (p=0.01) persisted. Conclusion: In Moroccan postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, PA is decreased with the severity of vertebral fractures and with the increasing age. Keywords: Physical activity, osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, postmenopausal women, Morocco

Effects of mind-body exercises for osteoporosis in older adults: Protocol for systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is an important cause of bone fractures and even a cause of threaten to the lives of elderly people. Mind-body exercises are beneficial interventions for improving flexibility, controlling body balance, and reducing pain. To assess the effect of mind-body exercise on osteoporosis in aging people, we will perform this systematic review.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which carried out about mind-body exercise for osteoporosis will be included. Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang will be searched from inception to January 2020. The outcomes will include bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), body balance, function of lower extremity, pain, fearing level, and quality of life. Trial reporting quality will be assessed by 2 reviewers independently and Review Manager 5.3 software will be used for meta-analysis. Trial registration is under PROSPERO (CRD42020165385).

RESULTS

Based on the current evidence, the potential rank of the efficacy and safety of mind-body exercises for BMD, BMC, body balance, function of lower extremity, pain, fearing level and quality of life will be assessed, and a prioritization regimen will be summarized.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from this systematic review could be useful for patients, clinical practitioners, and guideline-makers to select an optimum proposal of mild-body exercises for older adults with osteoporosis.

Neglected bodily senses in women living with vertebral fracture: a focus group study

OBJECTIVE

Older women are at particular risk of osteoporosis. Among women with osteoporosis, fractures of the vertebra (vertebral fracture) are common, hard to detect and associated with risk of further fracture. Identifying vertebral fracture in a timely manner allows instigation of preventive measures to reduce the risk of further fracture. Although detection of vertebral fracture requires spinal radiograph, many women do not receive referral. To begin development of a screening tool to identify women in need of referral we undertook a qualitative study to characterize women's experiences of vertebral fracture, using Eccleston's 'Ten Neglected Bodily Senses'.

METHODS

Four qualitative focus groups were conducted with women who had been diagnosed with vertebral fracture (n = 19, age 60-91 years). Data were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using the 'Ten Neglected Bodily Senses'.

RESULTS

Women's experiences of vertebral fractures related to seven senses: pain, movement, fatigue, balance, pressure, appetite and breathing. Pain was the dominant sense and all participants explained how pain increased with activity, reaching a crescendo, and described strategies to minimize this disruption. Most participants had become physically shorter, making some feel 'squashed', putting pressure on other body parts. Some described appetite loss or a sense of restricted breathing. Participants experienced a sense of being 'pulled' forwards, impacting on balance and exacerbating fear of falling.

CONCLUSION

The study found senses that have not been previously described in the experiences of women with vertebral fracture. These will be used to inform the design of a new screening tool for use in primary care.

Thoracic vertebral fractures and hyperkyphosis in elderly patients with end-stage kidney disease; do these patients have different clinical outcomes?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Elderly patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at high risk for fractures. However, the prevalence of vertebral fractures and hyperkyphosis is not studied well. This is relevant, because in the general population, both vertebral fractures and hyperkyphosis are associated with poor outcome. Therefore, the primary aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of vertebral fractures and hyperkyphosis in the ESKD population. The secondary aim was to assess if patients with vertebral fractures and/or hyperkyphosis more often have poor outcome after starting dialysis, such as accidental falling, functional decline and mortality compared to the patients without vertebral fractures and/or hyperkyphosis.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS & MEASUREMENTS

This study included patients ≥65 years with ESKD who were enrolled in the Geriatric assessment in Older patients starting Dialysis (GOLD) study of whom a lateral chest radiograph was available. Chest radiographs were scored independently by two observers for vertebral fractures (Genant ≥1) and hyperkyphosis (≥50 degrees). The relation between vertebral fractures and hyperkyphosis with clinical outcomes (falls, decline in ADL and IADL, mortality) was studied using the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Of the 196 enrolled patients, chest radiographs were available for 160 patients. Mean age was 75.3 (SD ±6.9), and 35% were female. The prevalence of vertebral fractures was 43% and of hyperkyphosis 22%. Patients with hyperkyphosis had a higher one-year mortality compared to patients without hyperkyphosis (20% vs. 8%, p = 0.04). No differences were observed between patients with and without hyperkyphosis, vertebral fractures and the remaining outcomes after six months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients ≥65 years old with ESKD starting dialysis, vertebral fractures are highly prevalent. In contrast to the general population, patients with vertebral fractures did experience poor outcome as often as patients without vertebral fractures. Remarkably, patients with hyperkyphosis did have a higher one-year mortality. However, these patients did not experience more functional decline or accidental falls.

Impact of mild and moderate/severe vertebral fractures on physical activity: a prospective study of older women in the UK

Little is known about the long-term impact of vertebral fractures on physical activity. There is also uncertainty over the clinical significance of mild vertebral fracture. We showed that women with moderate/severe but not mild vertebral fracture do less walking duration and housework than those without fracture after 5.4 years of follow-up.

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the long-term impact of vertebral fractures on physical activities. There is also uncertainty over the clinical significance of mild fracture. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prospective association between vertebral fracture and future physical activity.

METHODS

This is a 5-year prospective study of a mixed community and secondary care cohort of women aged > 50 from the UK. Vertebral fractures were identified at baseline on radiographs or DXA-based Vertebral Fracture Assessment by a Quantitative Morphometric approach and defined as moderate/severe (≥ 25% height decrease) or mild (20-24.9% height decrease). Physical activity data were collected 5.4 years later by self-completion questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between presence of fracture and various physical activities while adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Two hundred eighty-six women without, 58 with mild, and 69 with moderate/severe fracture were recruited. Those with mild and moderate/severe fracture were older than women without fracture and had more concomitant diseases at baseline. At 5.4 years follow-up, women with moderate/severe fracture self-reported shorter walking duration compared to those without fracture, even after adjusting for potential confounders (OR 2.96, 95%CI 1.11-7.88, P = 0.030). No independent association was seen between the presence of mild fractures and reduced physical activity at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study of older women from the UK that explored the prospective association between vertebral fracture and physical activity duration. Moderate/severe fractures were associated with reduced walking duration. Mild fractures had no impact on future physical ability.

Effect of treatment on back pain and back extensor strength with a spinal orthosis in older women with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial

The treatment effect of an activating spinal orthosis on back pain and back extensor strength was compared to a training group and to a control group. Between the groups, there was no significant difference in back pain, back extensor strength, or kyphosis index after the 6 months of treatment.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to study the effect of treatment with an activating spinal orthosis on back pain, back extensor strength, and kyphotic index. Our hypothesis was that an activating spinal orthosis may be an alternative treatment to decrease back pain and increase back extensor strength.

METHODS

A total of 113 women aged ≥ 60 years with back pain and osteoporosis, with or without vertebral fractures, were randomized to three groups: a spinal orthosis group, an equipment training group, and a control group. All three groups were examined at baseline and followed up after 3 and 6 months. Statistical analyses were performed with a mixed model for repeated measures according to intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP).

RESULTS

A total of 96 women completed the study. Between the groups, there was no significant difference in baseline characteristics. Comparison between groups showed no significant difference in back pain, back extensor strength, or kyphosis index at the follow-up after 6 months according to ITT and PP analyses. Analysis in each group showed that the back extensor strength had increased by 26.9% in the spinal orthosis group, by 22.1% in the exercise training group and by 9.9% in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Six months' treatment by an activating spinal orthosis showed no significant difference in back pain, back extensor strength, or kyphosis index between the three groups. In the spinal orthosis group, present back pain decreased slightly and back extensor strength increased by 26.9% which indicates that the spinal orthosis may become an alternative training method. Clinicaltrials.com ID: NCT03263585.

An observational cohort study to produce and evaluate an improved tool to screen older women with back pain for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (Vfrac): study protocol

The aim of this study is to produce an easy to use checklist for general practitioners to complete whenever a woman aged over 65 years with back pain seeks healthcare. This checklist will produce a binary output to determine if the patient should have a radiograph to diagnose vertebral fracture.

PURPOSE

People with osteoporotic vertebral fractures are important to be identified as they are at relatively high risk of further fractures. Despite this, less than a third of people with osteoporotic vertebral fractures come to clinical attention due to various reasons including lack of clear triggers to identify who should have diagnostic spinal radiographs. This study aims to produce and evaluate a novel screening tool (Vfrac) for use in older women presenting with back pain in primary care based on clinical triggers and predictors identified previously. This tool will generate a binary output to determine if a radiograph is required.

METHODS

The Vfrac study is a two-site, pragmatic, observational cohort study recruiting 1633 women aged over 65 years with self-reported back pain. Participants will be recruited from primary care in two sites. The Vfrac study will use data from two self-completed questionnaires, a simple physical examination, a lateral thoracic and lateral lumbar radiograph and information contained in medical records.

RESULTS

The primary objective is to develop an easy-to-use clinical screening tool for identifying older women who are likely to have vertebral fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

This article describes the protocol of the Vfrac study; ISRCTN16550671.

Identification of asymptomatic frailty vertebral fractures in post-menopausal women

PURPOSE

Vertebral fractures are associated with persistent pain, disability and mortality. However, around two thirds of women with vertebral fractures are unaware of them. We aimed to analyze which factors could mostly be associated to the presence of vertebral fractures in post-menopausal women, and evaluate the effectiveness of current screening criteria for the detection of vertebral fractures in an outpatient setting.

METHODS

We evaluated 1132 post-menopausal women referred to the osteoporosis outpatient clinic of the Geriatrics Department of Padova. For each participant we assessed: anthropometric data, femoral and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), dorso-lumbar X-rays, bone metabolism markers. Current recommendations for X-ray examinations by SIOMMMS (Società Italiana di Osteoporosi, Metabolismo Minerale e Malattie dello Scheletro) and ISCD (International Society of Clinical Densitometry) versus routine X-ray examinations were considered, and fracture risk was assessed through the derived FRAX (DeFRA) tool.

RESULTS

Of the women included in our study, 28% presented vertebral fractures, most of these previously unknown (82.8%). Lumbar BMD did not differ between patients with and without vertebral fractures. According to SIOMMMS guidelines, 50% of patients <60 years with unknown vertebral fractures would have been excluded from spinal X-ray examination. According to ISCD recommendations, the number of patients excluded reached 94.6% in the <60 age-group and 84.9% in the 60-70 age-group. The under-identification of vertebral fractures led to the 10-year risk of fractures computed by DeFRA being underestimated by around 15%.

CONCLUSIONS

BMD, particularly in the lumbar site, may not properly predict the presence of vertebral fractures in post-menopausal women. Improvement of the current recommendations for spinal X-ray examination may lead to early identification and better management of patients with vertebral fractures.