Prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fracture in female Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fracture in female Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
We performed lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and collected demographic, lifestyle, clinical, and treatment characteristics of 52 SLE patients. Vertebral fractures were defined as a >20% reduction of vertebral body height. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to assess the strength of associations between vertebral fractures and selected factors among SLE patients.


RESULTS
At least one vertebral fracture was detected in 50% of SLE patients. A history of previous bone fracture was significantly associated with an increased risk of vertebral fractures among SLE patients (adjusted OR = 14.8, 95% CI = 1.62-134; P = 0.017). Daily use of tea or coffee was marginally associated with a decreased risk of vertebral fractures among SLE patients (adjusted OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.01-1.01; P = 0.051).


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of vertebral fracture in SLE patients (50%) indicates that we need to assess the lateral spine radiograph in more female Japanese SLE patients regardless of BMD and use of corticosteroids, although additional studies are warranted to confirm the findings suggested in this study.
Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Makio
M
Furukawa
Chikako
C
Kiyohara
Takahiko
T
Horiuchi
Hiroshi
H
Tsukamoto
Hiroki
H
Mitoma
Yasutaka
Y
Kimoto
Ayumi
A
Uchino
Misato
M
Nakagawa
Kensuke
K
Oryoji
Terufumi
T
Shimoda
Mine
M
Harada
Koichi
K
Akashi
D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*