Prevalent vertebral fractures and minor vertebral deformities analyzed by vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) increases the risk of incident fractures in postmenopausal women: the FRODOS study

Automatic AI tool for opportunistic screening of vertebral compression fractures on chest frontal radiographs: A multicenter study

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common type of osteoporotic fractures, yet they are often clinically silent and undiagnosed. Chest frontal radiographs (CFRs) are frequently used in clinical practice and a portion of VCFs can be detected through this technology. This study aimed to develop an automatic artificial intelligence (AI) tool using deep learning (DL) model for the opportunistic screening of VCFs from CFRs. The datasets were collected from four medical centers, comprising 19,145 vertebrae (T6-T12) from 2735 patients. Patients from Center 1, 2 and 3 were divided into the training and internal testing datasets in an 8:2 ratio (n = 2361, with 16,527 vertebrae). Patients from Center 4 were used as the external test dataset (n = 374, with 2618 vertebrae). Model performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC). A reader study with five clinicians of different experience levels was conducted with and without AI assistance. In the internal testing dataset, the model achieved a sensitivity of 83.0 % and an AUC of 0.930 at the fracture level. In the external testing dataset, the model demonstrated a sensitivity of 78.4 % and an AUC of 0.942 at the fracture level. The model's sensitivity outperformed that of five clinicians with different levels of experience. Notably, AI assistance significantly improved sensitivity at the patient level for both junior clinicians (from 56.1 % without AI to 81.6 % with AI) and senior clinicians (from 65.0 % to 85.6 %). In conclusion, the automatic AI tool significantly increases clinicians' sensitivity in diagnosing fractures on CFRs, showing great potential for the opportunistic screening of VCFs.

Comparison of Wiltse Approach of Pedicle Screw Fixation With or Without Vertebroplasty in the Treatment of Genant III Degree Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Fractures: Analysis of Clinical Findings, Radiographic Parameters, and Follow-Up Complications

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effects of the Wiltse approach of pedicle screw fixation (PSF) either in combination with or without vertebroplasty (VP) in the treatment of Genant III degree osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (Genant III-OTLFs).

METHODS

A retrospective study of Genant III-OTLFs was performed from January 2018 to December 2019, including 54 cases of PSF + VP and 56 cases of PSF. Clinical indicators [visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI)], radiographic parameters [local kyphosis angle (LKA), percentage of anterior, central, and posterior vertebral heights (AVH%, CVH%, and PVH%, respectively)] and follow-up complications [adjacent vertebral fracture (AVF), residual pain (RP), vertebral height loss (VHL), and internal fixation failure (IFF)] were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

No differences in surgical outcomes, clinical indicators, and radiographic parameters were observed between the 2 groups during the preoperation period and 7 days post-operatively (P > .05). However, the VAS score [2.0 (.6), 1.9 (.5)], ODI [23.7 (4.0), 22.6 (3.0)], LKA [9.5 (1.8), 10.6 (3.0)], AVH% [90.1 (2.7), 87.7 (6.0)], CVH% [92.5 (2.6), 91.3 (3.7)], and PVH% [93.4 (2.0), 92.7 (2.4)] at 1 year post-operatively and last follow-up of the PSF + VP group were better than those of the PSF group [2.5 (.8), 3.1 (1.1), 26.6 (3.8), 29.6 (4.6), 12.2 (1.6), 16.6 (3.2), 84.9 (4.0), 69.9 (6.6), 88.1 (3.1), 78.2 (5.1), 89.7 (2.3), 84.8 (4.6)], respectively (P < .001). During follow-up, the incidence of AVF had no difference (P > .05), while that of RP (32.1 vs 14.8%), VHL (33.9 vs 9.3%) and IFF (17.9 vs 5.6%) had statistical differences between them (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

The Wiltse approach of PSF combined with VP for Genant III-OTLFs can not only effectively relieve pain, restore vertebral height, and correcte kyphosis, but also better maintain vertebral height, delay kyphosis progression, and reduce complications during follow-up.

Prevalent morphometric vertebral fractures as a risk factor for subsequent clinical vertebral fractures after shortfusion surgery in older Japanese women with degenerative spondylolisthesis

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study using the Kaplan-Meier method with propensity-score matching.

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the presence of prevalent morphometric vertebral fractures (VFs) poses a risk for subsequent clinical VFs after short-fusion surgery in women aged ≥60 years with degenerative spondylolisthesis.

OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE

VFs are common osteoporotic fractures and are associated with a low quality of life. Subsequent VFs are a complication of instrumented fusion in patients with degenerative lumbar disorders. Thus, risk factors for subsequent VFs after fusion surgery must be analyzed. Population-based studies have suggested that prevalent morphometric VFs led to a higher incidence of subsequent VFs in postmenopausal women; however, no studies have investigated whether prevalent morphometric VFs are a risk factor for subsequent VFs after fusion surgery in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis.

METHODS

The study enrolled a total of 237 older female patients: 50 and 187 patients had prevalent morphometric VFs (VF [+] group) and nonprevalent morphometric VFs (VF [-] group), respectively. The time to subsequent clinical VFs after fusion surgery was compared between the two groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. Moreover, 40 and 80 patients in the VF (+) and VF (-) groups, respectively, were analyzed and matched by propensity scores for age, follow-up duration, surgical procedure, number of fused segments, body mass index, and number of patients treated for osteoporosis.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the VF (+) group had a higher incidence of subsequent clinical VFs than the VF (-) group, and Cox regression analysis showed that the presence of prevalent morphometric VFs was an independent risk factor for subsequent clinical VFs before matching. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated comparable results after matching.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of prevalent morphometric VFs may be a risk factor for subsequent clinical VFs in older women with degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent short-fusion surgery.

Differences in Vertebral Morphology and bone Mineral Density between Grade 1 Vertebral Fracture and Non-Fractured Participants in the Chinese Population

PURPOSE

To investigate the difference in vertebral morphology and bone mineral density (BMD) between grade 1 VFs and non-fractured participants in the Chinese population to shed light on the clinical significance of grade 1 VFs from various perspectives.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients who received a chest low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan for health examination and visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, China, from October 2019 to August 2022. Data were analyzed from March 2023 to July 2023. The main outcome of this study was the difference in morphological parameters and BMD between grade 1 VFs and non-fractured participants. The prevalence of grade 1 VFs in China populations was calculated. The difference in BMD of three fracture types in the Grade 1 group was also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 3652 participants (1799 males, 54.85 ± 9.02 years, range, 40-92 years; 1853 females, 56.00 ± 9.08 years, range, 40-93 years) were included. The prevalence of grade 2 and 3 increase with age. The prevalence of grade 1 VFs gradually increases ≤ 50y to 60-69y group, but there is a decrease in the ≥ 70 years male group (6.6%) and a rise in the female group (25.5%). There was no significant statistical difference observed in vertebral shape indices (VSI) and BMD between the Grade 1 group and the no-fractured group aged < 50 years old except the wedge index in male. The biconcavity index did not differ between the non-fractured group and the Grade 1 group in men aged 50-59 years, whereas a significant statistical difference was observed in women. Additionally, the results of BMD were consistent with these findings. For the 40-59 years age group, there were significant differences between the compression deformity group and the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The grade 1 group had higher VSI and lower BMD than the non-fractured group, suggesting an association between the Grade 1 group and osteoporosis in individuals aged over 50 for women and over 60 for men. Different fracture types have significant variations in BMD among middle-aged people. The prevalence of grade 1 VFs exhibits an age-related increase in both genders, with opposite trends observed between older males and females. We suggested VSI can aid physicians in the diagnosis of grade 1 VFs.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Density: 2022 Update

Osteoporosis constitutes a significant public health risk. An estimated 10.2 million adults in the United States >50 years of age have osteoporosis, a systemic condition that weakens the bones increasing the susceptibility for fractures. Approximately one-half of women and nearly one-third of men >50 years of age will sustain an osteoporotic fracture. These fractures are associated with a decrease in quality of life, diminished physical function, and reduced independence. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the primary imaging modality used to screen for osteoporosis in women >65 years of age and men >70 years of age. DXA may be used in patients <65 years of age to evaluate bone mass density if there are additional risk factors. In certain situations, vertebral fracture assessment and trabecular bone score may further predict fracture risk, particularly in patients who are not yet osteoporotic but are in the range of osteopenia. Quantitative CT is useful in patients with advanced degenerative changes in the spine. Given the proven efficacy of pharmacologic therapy, the role of imaging to appropriately identify and monitor high-risk individuals is critical in substantially reducing osteoporosis-associated morbidity and mortality, and reducing the considerable cost to the health care system. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

The cumulative incidence of and risk factors for morphometric severe vertebral fractures in Japanese men and women: the ROAD study third and fourth surveys

This population-based cohort study with a 3-year follow-up revealed that the annual incidence rates of vertebral fracture (VF) and severe VF (sVF) were 5.9%/year and 1.7%/year, respectively. The presence of mild VF at the baseline was a significant risk factor for incident sVF in participants without prevalent sVF.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to estimate the incidence of morphometric vertebral fracture (VF) and severe VF (sVF) in men and women and clarify whether the presence of a mild VF (mVF) increases the risk of incident sVF.

METHODS

Data from the population-based cohort study, entitled the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability (ROAD) study, were analyzed. In total, 1190 participants aged ≥ 40 years (mean age, 65.0 ± 11.2) years completed whole-spine lateral radiography both at the third (2012-2013, baseline) and fourth surveys performed 3 years later (2015-2016, follow-up). VF was defined using Genant's semi-quantitative (SQ) method: VF as SQ ≥ 1, mVF as SQ = 1, and sVF as SQ ≥ 2. Cumulative incidence of VF and sVF was estimated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors for incident sVF.

RESULTS

The baseline prevalence of mVF and sVF were 16.8% and 6.0%, respectively. The annual incidence rates of VF and sVF were 5.9%/year and 1.7%/year, respectively. The annual incidence rates of sVF in participants without prevalent VF, with prevalent mVF, and with prevalent sVF were 0.6%/year, 3.8%/year, and 11.7%/year (p < 0.001), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses in participants without prevalent sVF showed that the adjusted odds ratios for incident sVF were 4.12 [95% confident interval 1.85-9.16] and 4.53 [1.49-13.77] if the number of prevalent mVF at the baseline was 1 and ≥ 2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The annual incidence rates of VF and sVF were 5.9%/year and 1.7%/year, respectively. The presence of prevalent mVF was an independent risk factor for incident sVF.

Differences in spine volumetric bone mineral density between grade 1 vertebral fracture and non-fractured participants in the China action on spine and hip status study

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the prevalence of vertebral fractures (VF) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men and women and explored the differences in lumbar spine volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) derived from quantitative CT (QCT) between those with a grade 1 vertebral fracture and non-fractured individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3,457 participants were enrolled in the China Action on Spine and Hip Status (CASH) study and had upper abdominal CT examinations. Vertebral fractures were identified by Genant's semi-quantitative method from lateral CT scout views or CT sagittal views. L1-3 vBMD was measured by Mindways QCT Pro v5.0 software. The characteristics of different fracture severity groups were compared using one-way ANOVA, independent-samples t-tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H-tests.

RESULTS

1267 males (aged 62.77 ± 9.20 years) and 2170 females (aged 61.41 ± 9.01 years) were included in the analysis. In men, the prevalence of VF increased from 14.7% at age&lt;50 years to 23.2% at age ≥70 years, and in women from 5.1% at age&lt;50 years to 33.0% at age ≥70 years. Differences in mean age and vBMD were found between the different fracture grade groups. After age stratification, vBMD differences in men aged &lt; 50 years old disappeared (p = 0.162) but remained in the older age bands. There was no significant difference in mean vBMD between those with multiple mild fractures and those with a single mild fracture.

CONCLUSION

In women, the prevalence of VF increased rapidly after age 50, while it grew more slowly in men. In general, with the exception of men &lt;50 years old, participants with a grade 1 VF had lower vBMD than non-fractured individuals. The majority of women younger than 50 with a grade 1 VF had normal bone mass. We recommend that a vertebral height reduction ratio of &lt;25% be diagnosed as a deformity rather than a fracture in people under the age of 50. The presence of multiple mild fractured vertebrae does not imply lower BMD.

Asymptomatic vertebral fracture in Tunisian post-menopausal women at risk: prevalence and risk factors

Data are still scarce regarding the prevalence and the associated factors of vertebral fractures (VF) in the North Africa and the Middle East region. In this study, VF were common in at risk Tunisian women with a prevalence of 26.19%. Lower total hip T-score, having severe back pain, and being physically inactive were independently associated with VF.

INTRODUCTION

Vertebral fractures are related to a marked increase in morbidity and mortality and they are associated with a definite risk of subsequent fracture. Nevertheless, they remain underdiagnosed and little is known about their epidemiology in the African countries. In this first Tunisian study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and the associated factors of asymptomatic VF among at risk Tunisian post-menopausal women.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we included post-menopausal women without a previous diagnosis of VF and who were referred for bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. Each participant had had an extensive medical history investigation, a BMD assessment, and a vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) scan using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. VF were defined using Genant semi-quantitative method.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ten post-menopausal women were included. The overall prevalence of VF was 26.19% and 9.52% of our participants had multiple VF. The prevalence of VF was significantly higher in older participants, those having a history of prior severe fragility fracture, or having at least one intrinsic fall. The percentage of low bone mineral density and osteoporosis were significantly higher in women with VF. After binary logistic regression analysis, severe back pain (OR = 3.016; 95% CI 1.304-6.974), regular physical activity (OR = 0.065; 95% CI 0.02-0.213), and total hip T-score (OR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.383-0.820) were independently associated with VF.

CONCLUSION

VF are very prevalent among at risk Tunisian post-menopausal women and their incorporation in a clinical and densitometric tool might identify more effectively subsequent fracture.

Radiographic Vertebral Fracture Assessment of Vertebral Fracture by the Three-Line Method

Purpose: To evaluate the value of the three-line (TL) method in the diagnosis of vertebral fractures. Methods: 286 patients over 50 years old who received thoracolumbar X-ray examination in our hospital from 2013 to 2019 were selected and divided into three groups according to their age. The incidence and severity of vertebral fractures were measured by the TL method and Genant semi-quantitative technique by the same observer. Eight vertebrae were measured in each patient, ranging from T10 to L5. Results: The TL method was consistent with the Genant semi-quantitative method when evaluating whether patients had vertebral fractures (k >0.75), and the McNemar-bowker test showed no difference in the diagnosis between the two methods (P >0.05). However, Wilcoxon rank sum test found a difference between the two methods in assessing the severity of fractured vertebrae (P < 0.05), and the TL method was more sensitive. Conclusion: The two methods can be substituted for each other in the diagnosis of vertebral fractures. However, TL method is more sensitive in the diagnosis of the severity of spinal fractures. And the TL method is more quantitative and easier for beginners to master.

Relationship between vertebral fracture prevalence and abdominal aortic calcification in women with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA)-detected abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has been validated as an indicator of increased risk of vertebral fractures (VFs) in other populations but this relationship in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unclear. We assess the prevalence of AAC on VFA scans and its potential relationship with prevalent VFs in a cohort of RA women.

METHODS

We enrolled 250 women with RA. VFA images, and scans of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were obtained using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The presence/severity of VFs and AAC were carried out using validated approaches.

RESULTS

AAC was detected in 95 of 250 (38%) eligible subjects and 83 (33.2%) had at least one VF. Significantly subjects with VFs had a higher AAC score (3.4 ± 3.8 versus 0.7 ± 1.4; p˂0.001) and higher prevalence of AAC than those without VFs (65% versus 26%; P˂0.001). The group with VFs tended to be older, had more menopausal women, and lower lumbar spine and total hip BMD than those without VF. They also had a long-standing disease and high DAS 28-CRP, a great steroid cumulative dose, and a high prevalence of rheumatoid factor (RF). In multivariate analyses, a significant association was noted between prevalent VFs and age of patients, RA disease activity, presence of densitometric osteoporosis, RF, and VFA-detected AAC, whereas there was no significant association with steroid cumulative dose and disease duration.

CONCLUSION

VFA is a convenient tool for the diagnosis of VFs and AAC. In this cohort, VFA-detected AAC was independently associated with prevalent VFs.

Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) in patients over 50 years of age with a non-severe peripheral fracture

The prevalence of unknown vertebral fractures evaluated by systematic vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) was 21% in patients over 50 years of age who suffered from a recent low-trauma non-severe peripheral fracture. The outcome of VFA resulted in changes in the management of osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of VFA in detecting vertebral fractures (VFs) in patients over 50 years of age, who suffered from a recent low-trauma non-severe peripheral fracture.

METHODS

This was an observational, single-center, cross-sectional study conducted in patients over 50 years of age, who presented a recent low-trauma non-severe peripheral fracture and were identified by the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) of Amiens University Hospital between December 2017 and March 2019. VFA was interpreted by two trained rheumatologists providing a consensual reading using Genant semi-quantitative assessment.

RESULTS

Of the 359 eligible patients, 114 patients (31.8%) were included (mean age 65.6 ± 8.4 years; 89.5% female). Twenty-four patients (21%) had one or more VF diagnosed by VFA. The total number of VF diagnosed by VFA was 30: 20 VF (66.7%) grade 1, 7 VF (23.3%) grade 2, and 3 VF (10%) grade 3. Among the 24 patients with at least one prevalent VF diagnosed by VFA, 18 patients had an osteoporosis medication adaptation after the VFA results (16 osteoporosis medication initiation and 2 treatment intensification), and 6 patients would have had an osteoporosis medication even without the VFA results (66.7% versus 33.3% respectively, p < 0.001). Of the 51 patients receiving an osteoporosis medication after DXA and VFA, 18 patients (35.3%) had a change in the management of osteoporosis after knowing the outcome of VFA. All the VFs diagnosed by VFA were unknown before. We did not evidence any threshold (age, T-score, height loss) below which no VF was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the usefulness of systematic VFA to detect prevalent VF in patients over 50 years of age who suffer from a recent non-severe peripheral fracture.

The incidence and risk factors for adjacent vertebral fractures in community-dwelling people with prevalent vertebral fracture: the 3rd and 4th survey of the ROAD study

In this 3-year follow-up study of 66 community-dwelling adults with severely deformed vertebral fractures, the annual incidence of adjacent vertebral fracture (AVF) was 6.1%/year. Lower bone mineral density at the femoral neck and spinopelvic malalignment were risk factors for AVF.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to clarify the incidence and risk factors of adjacent vertebral fractures (AVFs)-fractures adjacent to a prevalent vertebral fracture (VF)-using an established population-based cohort from the ROAD study.

METHODS

Among the 1213 participants who underwent whole-spine radiography in ROAD's third (2012-2013, the baseline) and fourth surveys (2015-2016, the follow-up), 66 (12 men, 54 women) had at least one VF at the baseline. VF and AVF were determined radiographically using Genant's semi-quantitative (SQ) method, where VF was SQ ≥ 2 and AVF was a one-level cranial or caudal vertebra with an SQ grade one or more higher at the follow-up. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was applied, and anthropometric measurements and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were performed. Sagittal imbalance of the spine was defined as a mismatch between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) of > 20°. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for AVF.

RESULTS

AVF occurred in 12 participants (1 man, 11 women). The annual incidence of AVF was estimated at 6.1%/year. Logistic regression analyses revealed that lower BMD at the femoral neck and PI-LL > 20° were risk factors for AVF.

CONCLUSIONS

The annual incidence of AVF in a general population with prevalent VF was 6.1%/year. In addition, lower BMD at the femoral neck and PI-LL > 20° were risk factors for AVF.

Suboptimal medication adherence may favor the progression of vertebral fractures in women with post-menopausal osteoporosis treated with denosumab

BACKGROUND

Medication adherence is a determinant of therapeutic outcomes in osteoporotic patients treated with bisphosphonates. In this monocentric study, we evaluated whether the regular drug administration may influence the effectiveness of denosumab in preventing vertebral fractures (VFs) in real-world clinical practice.

METHODS

Two-hundred and four women (median age 75 years, range: 54-90 years) under treatment with denosumab for post-menopausal osteoporosis were longitudinally evaluated for incident radiological VFs and changes in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) in relationship with medication adherence. All patients were persistent with denosumab treatment (i.e., maximum delay in administration of a single denosumab dose: 90 days). Patients were defined adherent to denosumab therapy when the drug was administered every 6 months ±28 days.

RESULTS

One-hundred-seventy-three patients (84.4%) were adherent to denosumab therapy, whereas the remaining 31 patients (15.6%) received in delay one or more denosumab doses (cumulative delay: 52 days, range 29-183 days). Fourteen patients (6.9%) experienced incident VFs during the follow-up (median duration: 30 months, range: 18-48 months), in relationship with non-adherence to denosumab therapy (hazard ratio 4.44; 95% CI: 1.01-19.47) and smaller increase in lumbar spine BMD (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76-0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

In post-menopausal women at high risk of fractures, the small delay in the administration of denosumab (i.e., not uncommon in clinical practice) was associated with a significant increase in incidence of VFs. Preservation of standard dosing schedule appears to be an important determinant of denosumab effectiveness in the real-life clinical practice.