Frailty as a predictor of vertebral fractures in osteoporosis: A clinical perspective
Zeynep Şahiner1
, Merve Güner2, Özgür Selim Uysal3
1Department of Geriatrics, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
2Department of Geriatrics, Erzurum City Hospital, Erzurum, Türkiye
3Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Private Yüzüncü Yıl Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
Keywords: Compression fracture, frailty, geriatric patients, osteoporosis.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to assess the correlation between vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) and frailty and to identify the possible link between the number of VCFs and frailty intensity in patients with osteoporosis (OP).
Patients and methods: Between January 2025 and February 2025, a total of 204 patients (143 males, 61 females; mean age: 71.8±5.5 years; range, 65 to 89 years) over 65 years who received treatment for OP in the inpatient setting were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to their Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scores as the frail group (n=141, CFS ≥4) and the non-frail group (n=63, CFS <4). Demographic and clinical characteristics, geriatric syndromes, and fracture prevalence were recorded.
Results: The handgrip strength was significantly reduced in the frail group (19 kg vs. 21 kg, p=0.004), with a probable sarcopenia rate of 42% (p=0.034). The rate of participants with no fractures, a single fracture, and multiple fractures was 42%, 26%, and 22% in the non-frail group, compared to 57%, 73%, and 77% in the frail group, respectively (p=0.018). This difference was particularly evident in patients with multiple fractures (odds ratio [OR]=2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-4.87, p=0.023).
Conclusion: Frailty is strongly associated with a higher incidence of VCFs and multiple fractures in older individuals with OP.
Citation: Şahiner Z, Güner M, Uysal ÖS. Frailty as a predictor of vertebral fractures in osteoporosis: A clinical perspective. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2025;36(2):408-414. doi: 10.52312/jdrs.2025.2202.
Conceptual and designing, statistical expertise: Z.Ş., Ö.S.U.; Collection and assembly of data: M.G.; Analyzing and interpreting data, composing the article: Z.Ş., M.G.; The article's essential revision for significant intellectual content: Ö.S.U, Z.Ş., M.G. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.