VERTEBRAL BODY INDEX AND BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN WOMEN WITH SPINAL FRACTURES - 66 PROBANDS COMPARED WITH CONTROLS

The bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in 61 women with compressi on fractures of the spine and 66 normal pre-menopausal women. Radiogra phs of the lateral spine were also obtained and the vertebral body ind ex (VBI) was measured in the region L2-L4. Women with spinal fractures had lower BMD and VBI values. Using both BMD and VBI, 3 regions of fr acture risk were defined, All but 2 of the fracture patients were in t he moderate- or high-risk region for fracture.