Osteoporotic vertebral fractures in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objetive: to describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures at a tertiary care university hospital in Manizales, from January 2018 to January 2022.

Design: an observational, cross-sectional descriptive study was performed.

Patients: patients with vertebral fractures seen on diagnostic imaging.

Measurements: the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and admission clinical and paraclinical test results were evaluated.

Results: a total of 174 patients were found, 68.2% of whom were females; 89.4% had high comorbidity (a Charlson index score higher than 3), 54.6% had malnutrition, 60.1% had polypharmacy and 85.4% had insufficient milk product consumption. In half of the cases, the vertebral fracture was severe (≥40% reduction in the vertebral body height, according to Genant), 19.8% had a prior fracture and 15.1% were receiving pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis. The bone profile findings showed decreased levels of albumin and vitamin D with elevated PTH.

Conclusions: two-thirds of the patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures are females, with high comorbidity and malnutrition. Most were not receiving pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis.