Is raloxifene associated with lower risk of mortality in postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty?: a hospital-based analysis.
BACKGROUND
Osteoporotic fractures are associated with mortality in postmenopausal woman. Whether raloxifen treatment after vertebroplasty can reduce mortality is unclear in this group. To compare the effect of raloxifene and no osteoporosis treatment on the risk of mortality after vertebroplasty, we designed this study.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study (January 2001 to December 2007). Follow-up for each participant was calculated as the time from inclusion in the study to the time of death, or to December 31(st), 2013, whichever occurred first. All of the patients underwent baseline bone density studies, and age and body mass index (kg/m(2)) were recorded. All associated medical diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and liver and renal disease were recorded.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty-nine patients with vertebral fractures were enrolled, of whom 51 used raloxifene and 98 patients did not receive any anti-osteoporotic therapy. At the end of the follow-up period, 62 patients had died and 87 were still alive. The treated patients had a lower mortality rate than those who did not receive treatment (P = 0.001, HR = 3.845, 95% CI 1.884-7.845). The most common cause of mortality was sepsis, and those who received raloxifene had a lower rate of sepsis compared to those who did not receive treatment (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Effective treatment with raloxifene may had a lower mortality rate in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty.
Department of Rheumatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan. sophiesu1222@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
Fu-Mei
FM
Su
Department of Rheumatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan. r820713@ms13.hinet.net.
Ying-Chou
YC
Chen
Department of Rheumatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan. tiantsai@ms2.hinet.net.
Tien-Tsai
TT
Cheng
Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan. u64lin@yahoo.com.tw.
Wei-Che
WC
Lin
Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan. lchung@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
Chun-Chung
CC
Lui
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000401:mortality*
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride