Vertebral fracture
History of any fracture was reported in 42 cases, mostly located in ankles, feet, radius, and femur. Radiological vertebral fracture evaluation was available for 202 patients. Patients’ clinical, laboratory parameters, and DEXA results according to the presence of vertebral fractures are summarized in Table 2. Patients with vertebral fractures were older than patients without vertebral fractures (46.8±11.4 yrs vs. 41.7±11.9 yrs, p=0.012).
One hundred fourteen (56.4%) patients had grade 1 and more vertebral fragility fractures. While mild fractures were detected in 26.2% (n=53/202) of the patients who were evaluated with X-ray, severe vertebral fractures (grade two and more) were observed in 30.7% (n=62/202) of the patients. Thirteen patients (6.4%) had grade 3 vertebral fractures. The mean number of lumbar and thoracic vertebral fractures was 3.1±1.7, while the mean number of grade 2 fractures were 2.2±1.5 (min-max: 1-10).
The majority of vertebral fractures were observed more frequently in patients with normal BMD. Forty-six patients (40.3%) with vertebral fractures had normal lumbar and femoral neck BMD, whereas 23 (20.1%) and 45 (39.5%) patients with vertebral fractures were osteoporotic and osteopenic.