title: Important risk factors and attributable risk of vertebral fractures in the population-based Tromsø study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vertebral fractures, the most common type of osteoporotic fractures, are associated with increased risk of subsequent fracture, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of important risk factors to the variability in vertebral fracture risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vertebral fracture was ascertained by VFA method (DXA, GE Lunar Prodigy) in 2887 men and women, aged between 38 and 87 years, in the population-based Tromsø Study 2007/2008. Bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm2) at the hip was measured by DXA. Lifestyle information was collected by questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression model, with anthropometric and lifestyle factors included, was used to assess the association between each or combined risk factors and vertebral fracture risk. Population attributable risk was estimated for combined risk factors in the final multivariable model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both sexes, age (odds ratio [OR] per 5 year increase: 1.32; 95% CI 1.19-1.45 in women and 1.21; 95% CI 1.10-1.33 in men) and BMD (OR per SD decrease: 1.60; 95% CI 1.34-1.90 in women and1.40; 95% CI 1.18-1.67 in men) were independent risk factors for vertebral fracture. At BMD levels higher than 0.85 g/cm2, men had a greater risk of fracture than women (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.14-2.04), after adjusting for age. In women and men, respectively, approximately 46% and 33% of vertebral fracture risk was attributable to advancing age (more than 70 years) and low BMD (less than 0.85 g/cm2), with the latter having a greater effect than the former.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data confirm that age and BMD are major risk factors for vertebral fracture risk. However, in both sexes the two factors accounted for less than half of fracture risk. The identification of individuals with vertebral fracture is still a challenge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. svanhild.h.waterloo@uit.no
authors.forename: Svanhild
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waterloo
authors.forename: Tuan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Luai A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Jacqueline R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Center
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morseth
authors.forename: Nguyen D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Eisman
authors.forename: Anne J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Søgaard
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Emaus
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*