The Presentation of Older People with Vertebral Fragility Fractures to a University Hospital: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Title:The Presentation of Older People with Vertebral Fragility Fractures to a University Hospital: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Volume: 17 Issue: 1

Author(s): Terence Ong*, Syed Ajmal bin Syed Ali and Opinder Sahota

Affiliation:

• Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Keywords: Vertebral fracture, fragility fracture, hospitalised, aged, osteoporosis, predominantly.

Abstract:

Introduction: There is a lack of robust data on hospitalised acute vertebral fragility fractures. This analysis aimed to report on the number of hospitalised vertebral fragility fractures treated in a large UK teaching hospital. This information would support better design of hospital services and resource allocation to manage this group of patients.

Methods: Patients aged 50 years and over hospitalised with a vertebral fragility fracture from 1/2/2016 to 31/1/2017 were identified from radiology and hospital records. Patients sustaining vertebral fractures due to either major trauma or malignancy were excluded. Data was collected on patient demographics, fracture details, hospitalisation details and health outcomes.

Results: 208 patients with acute vertebral fragility fractures were hospitalised over a 12 month period. The mean (SD) age was 80.5 (11) years, of which 68% were female. 94% presented to the Emergency Department (ED) as their first point of contact, of which 70% were subsequently hospitalised. Two-thirds presented with a single level vertebral fracture predominantly around the thoracolumbar region. The majority (87%) were non-operatively managed by general physicians, of which most were under Geriatric Medicine. The median length of stay was 12 (IQR 6-20) days and inpatient mortality was 3%. 52% of patients went on to have a bone health assessment.

Conclusion: We have reported on the number of patients presenting to hospital with an acute vertebral fragility fracture over 12 months. This helps identify resources needed to design hospital services to manage them adequately.

Cite this article as:

Ong Terence *, bin Syed Ali Ajmal Syed and Sahota Opinder , The Presentation of Older People with Vertebral Fragility Fractures to a University Hospital: A Cross-sectional Analysis, Current Rheumatology Reviews 2021; 17 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573397116999200820170559

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573397116999200820170559	Print ISSN 1573-3971
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1875-6360