title: Asymptomatic vertebral fractures in patients with low bone mineral density.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) is a test technique that can be used to detect asymptomatic vertebral fractures (AVF). It uses dual energy X-ray bsorptiometry (DXA) and can be performed concurrently with bone densitometry. This study aims to assess the prevalence of AVF in patients with low bone mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study including 135 individuals with low bone mineral density (BMD) with a T-score < -2.0 standard deviation (SD) in a densitometry clinic located in the city of Blumenau (state of Santa Catarina). Anthropometric, clinical and lifestyle variables were obtained from history-taking and physical examination. Densitometric variables were obtained by bone mineral densitometry and VFA (Explorer, Hollogic®). Vertebral fractures were classified according to the Genant criteria. Student's t, chi-square and logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AVFs occurred in 24.4% of the subjects. They were older compared to those without AVF (65±9.25 versus 60.1±8.66; p=0.005), and had a history of lowimpact fractures (38.24% versus 19.8%; OR 2.5; p=0.03). Half of the patients that reported steroid therapy had AVFs, compared to one fifth of those who did not use steroids (50% versus 21.49%; OR 3.6; p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asymptomatic vertebral fractures were present in approximately one fourth of patients. The risk factors associated were history of low-impact fracture, use of steroids and age > 61 years.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caio Cesar Leite de
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Negreiros
authors.affiliation: Furb, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marina Guareschi
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Berigo
authors.affiliation: Masters Program in Collective Health, Department of Medicine, Furb, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Robson Luiz
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dominoni
authors.affiliation: Masters Program in Collective Health, Department of Medicine, Furb, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deisi Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Vargas
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003720:Densitometry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology