Utility of Radiographic Parameter in Assessing Bone Density and Subsequent Fractures in Patients With Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture

Abstract

Objective To investigate the ability of radiological parameter canal bone ratio (CBR) to assess bone mineral density and to differentiate between patients with primary and multiple osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on OVCF patients treated at our hospital. CBR was measured through full-spine x-rays. Patients were categorized into primary and multiple fracture groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) calculation were used to assess the ability of parameters to predict osteoporosis and multiple fractures. Predictors of T values were analyzed by multiple linear regression, and independent risk factors for multiple fractures were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results CBR showed a moderate negative correlation with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry T values (r = -0.642, p 0.53 was an independent risk factor for multiple fractures (OR, 14.66; 95% CI, 4.97–43.22; p < 0.01). Conclusion CBR is negatively correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) and can be a novel opportunistic BMD assessment method. It is a simple and effective measurement index for predicting multiple fractures, with predictive performance not inferior to T values.

Keywords

• bone density
• osteoporotic fractures
• osteoporosis
• radiographs
• dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry