THE SEQUELAE OF VERTEBRAL CRUSH FRACTURES IN MEN

The number of osteoporotic fractures is rising in men and women, becau se of the demographic trend towards an aging population and an increas e in the age-specific incidence of fractures. Although previous studie s have examined the morbidity following hip fractures in women, there is little information on the sequelae of vertebral crush fractures in men. We have therefore collected data on loss of height, kyphosis, per ipheral fractures and functional status in 63 men with symptomatic ver tebral fractures. Loss of height was documented in 49% of the men, whi le kyphosis was present in 54%. A past history of 50 non-vertebral fra ctures was obtained in 27 patients (43%), involving the ribs (17), low er arm (13) and femoral neck (4). Each patient then completed the Nott ingham Health Profile (NHP), which gives information on perceived heal th. Men with vertebral crush fractures had higher scores for all six d omains of the NHP when compared with age-matched and more elderly cont rol subjects, implying greater morbidity. This was particularly marked for the energy, pain and mobility domains of the NHP. We conclude tha t there is considerable morbidity associated with vertebral crush frac tures in men, which should be assessed in any trial of therapeutic int ervention. This study suggests that the NHP may be a useful instrument in this regard.