Bone Abstracts

Introduction: Fragility fractures are number growing. They reduced quality life and increased mortality. After 50 years, one woman and two men will have an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. The presence of a vertebral fracture (VF) multiplied the risk of new vertebral fracture and the risk of hip fracture. They are pauci or asymptomatic.

Study purpose: Evaluate the prevalence of fragility vertebral fractures after 50 years, the number of asymptomatic fractures, and other forms of spinal disease which may constitute a differential diagnosis.

Materials and methods: Prospective study conducted between December 2012 and March 2013. We included 51 patients≥50 years old. Analysis of thoraco-lumar radiographs was based on the semi-quantitative method of Genant (grade,seat and VF number). The prevalence of FV was calculate, and the percentage of asymptomatic fractures.

Results: Our population was predominantly female (86.2%). The mean age was 61 years. 66.6% of patients had back pain. 19 cases had at least one VF. Among them, six were asymptomatic. In the FV group, six patients had a personal history of bone fragility factors. Two had a history of non-traumatic fracture and one case among parents. The majorities of patients were in vitamin D or already supplemented. Five cases treated for osteoporosis, ten patients were under anti-osteoporotic, four unknown osteoporotic. 11 cases followed for osteoarthritis. Three cases had the notion of size loss between 2 and 5 cm. 13 had a fracture grade I, four grade II and two grade III. Ten patients had a single fracture, 8 two fractures, and only one patient, three fractures. All fractures were lumbar seat and attributed to osteoporosis.

Discussion and conclusion: The clinical signs of vertebral fractures are not specific. Their severity is variable. They pose problem of differential diagnosis of vertebral deformities or neoplastic. View prognosis, research vertebral fractures after 50 years is essential.