Height loss in women caused by vertebral fractures and osteoporosis.
BACKGROUND
To investigate women, with height loss of more than three cm, without earlier diagnosed spinal fractures, for osteoporosis and vertebral fractures.


METHODS
Consecutively enrollment of women aged 50-85 years with a height loss of three cm or more. 80 women with a mean age of 70 years old (51-84) were recruited. Determination was made of bone mineral density (BMD) with DXA technique on hip, lumbar spine and whole body. Lateral spine radiographs were performed on thoracic and lumbar spine.


RESULTS
Mean height loss was 5.2 cm. Smaller vertebral fractures were diagnosed in 45% (n=36). All had osteopenia or osteoporosis on BMD measurements, and there were significant differences in T-score for hip and lumbar spine and in BMD, for the hip in subjects with and without vertebral compression.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with height loss without knowledge of earlier spinal fractures could be suspected for osteoporosis and vertebral fractures.
Eggertsen
Robert
R
Centre of Bone Research, Sahlgrenska Academy Department of Medicine/Primary Health Care and Mölnlycke Primary Health Care and Research Centre, Mölnlycke, Sweden. robert.eggertsen@vgregion.se
Mellström
Dan
D
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001827:Body Height; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*