Spine Imaging Improves the Identification of Future Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis
08 April 2005 - 4:55AM
PR Newswire (US)
Spine Imaging Improves the Identification of Future Fracture Risk
in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis At any given bone mineral
density, information regarding vertebral fractures seen in spine
imaging can predict up to 11-fold increased future fracture risk
WASHINGTON, April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A new analysis gives
clinicians information to help them more accurately predict future
osteoporotic fracture risk in individual patients by combining
information from both bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and
imaging of the spine. The analysis, presented at the National
Osteoporosis Foundation's Sixth International Symposium on
Osteoporosis, showed that at any given BMD, the information from
the imaging of the spine was an independent predictor for future
vertebral fractures. "Low BMD is a surrogate for increased fracture
risk, but doesn't give the whole story. Imaging the spine allows
practitioners to see whether fractures of the spine have actually
occurred," said Dr. John Krege, MD, Medical Advisor for Eli Lilly
and Company. "Incorporating both BMD and fracture status affords an
opportunity to better predict future fracture risk and
appropriately treat patients." This data is important, because
women identified as having increased risk for fracture can be
treated with lifestyle modifications, fall prevention strategies,
medications, and other measures to reduce their risk for future
fractures. Methods A post hoc analysis looking at data from 2,651
postmenopausal women (1,181 with prevalent vertebral fracture)
comprising the placebo groups from two large osteoporosis trials
with a median observation of 21 months and two years, respectively,
were analyzed to determine the impact of radiographic prevalent
vertebral fractures (fractures of the spine visible on radiographs
at study baseline) on future vertebral fracture risk independent of
BMD. Prevalent vertebral fracture status was defined as: * The
number of prevalent vertebral fractures 0, 1, 2, or greater than or
equal to 3 * Maximum semi-quantitative (SQ) deformity grade [Mild -
grade 1; Moderate - grade 2; severe - grade 3] (Genant et al. 1993)
* Spinal Deformity Index (SDI) score, an index of spine fracture
burden incorporating both number and severity of radiographic
vertebral fractures. Results The analysis found that for any given
BMD, the risk of a new vertebral fracture was approximately
increased three to 11-fold in subjects with one or more prevalent
radiographic vertebral fractures. Greater numbers of prevalent
vertebral fractures and more severe prevalent vertebral fractures
were associated with greater risks for subsequent fracture: * 2
fractures = ~ 5-fold increase, * greater than or equal to 3
fractures = 7 to 8-fold increase Higher prevalent SQ scores were
associated with greater risks * SQ score of 2 = ~ 5-fold increase,
* SQ score of 3 = 8 to 10-fold increase Similarly, higher prevalent
SDI scores were associated with greater risks * SDI score of 1 to 3
= ~ 3-fold increase, * SDI score of 4 to 6 = 6 to 7-fold increase,
* SDI score of greater than or equal to 7 = 9 to 11-fold increase
About Osteoporosis More than 50 percent of all women over the age
of 75 are estimated to have osteoporosis, and due to their advanced
age, have a high risk of fracture. In fact, most American women
over the age of 50 will experience one or more osteoporosis-related
fractures during their lifetimes, and women with osteoporosis who
have two or more previous fractures have up to a nine times greater
risk of future fracture compared with women who have not suffered a
previous fracture. About Lilly Lilly, a leading innovation-driven
corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class
and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest
research from its own worldwide laboratories and from
collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered
in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines
and information for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.
Additional information about Lilly is available at
http://www.lilly.com/ . (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO DATASOURCE:
Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Keri S. McGrath of Eli Lilly and
Company, +1-317-651-6001, Email:
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