Abstract
We examined vertebral fracture (VF) prevalence, incidence, and treatment among 1488 older adults. VF prevalence and incidence were higher in women, older participants, and those with low bone density. In addition to VFs being underdiagnosed (only 20.7% of VFs clinically recognized), treatment rates were low, underscoring the need for improved screening and management. PURPOSE: To estimate prevalence and incidence of osteoporotic VFs and VF progressions overall and by sex, age, and bone status and to describe the proportion of participants with VFs in reporting osteoporosis (OP) medication use. METHODS: This observational analysis of the DO-HEALTH trial, a three-year, randomized, controlled trial among community-dwelling adults age ≥ 70 years, includes a subsample of participants recruited at four study sites equipped with DXA machines. Prevalence and incidence rates (IR) of VFs and VF progressions were described overall and by subgroups of sex, age, and bone status. Incidence of VFs which were clinically recognized was also estimated. Further, we estimated the proportion of participants on OP medication. RESULTS: A total of 1488 participants were included (mean age 74.9 years, 63.1% women, 77.0% had osteopenia or osteoporosis). One hundred forty-four (9.7%) participants had at least one radiographic VF at baseline and of those 19.4% participants reported OP medication use. Over the three-year follow-up, 50 participants sustained 58 new radiographic VFs (IR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1, 1.9). Of the 58 radiographic VFs, only 12 (20.7%) were clinically recognized. Furthermore, 31 participants sustained 35 VF progressions (N = 157; IR 7.7, 95% CI 5.5, 10.7). Prevalence and incidence were significantly higher in women, in older participants and those with osteopenia or osteoporosis compared to those with normal bone density. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a high prevalence and incidence of VFs in community-dwelling European older adults. Underdiagnosis may be even more prevalent than previously observed, and treatment rates were low.