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Epidemiology, Identification Rate and Treatment Penetration of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures in Switzerland

NCT02234414 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 303

Last updated 2014-09-09

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

In Switzerland, the prevalence of vertebral fractures in community- dwelling women is unknown and the published data from the Swiss hospitals statistics represent only the tip of the iceberg. In addition, the percentages of women correctly identified with vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis and the treatment rate of these women with a drug proven to reduce the risk of further fractures are unknown. Furthermore, it is not known whether the prevalence of vertebral fractures differs between urban and rural areas or between mountain areas and plain country, e.g. due to possible differences in sun exposure (vitamin D production) and/ or in physical activity and/ or dietary habits.

Clinical signs and symptoms leading to the suspicion of vertebral fracture(s) lack either sensitivity (wall-occiput distance) or specificity (rib-pelvis distance). Whether a combination of both would improve sensitivity and specificity is unknown.

The gold standard for the diagnosis of vertebral fracture relies on antero-posterior and lateral X-Rays of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Despite standardization of X-Ray readings, a retrospective study of hospitalized elderly patients has shown that as many as 50% of the radiographic reports failed to note the presence of moderate to severe vertebral fractures. In a primary care setting, fewer than 2% of the women received diagnoses of osteoporosis or vertebral fracture, although expected prevalence is 20% to 30% and appropriate drug treatment was offered to only 36% of the diagnosed patients.

The recent availability of software for vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) coupled to DXA measurements allows for the detection of vertebral deformities, which is critical for management of osteoporosis, as the existence of such deformities substantially increases the risk of subsequent fracture. Recently published results show that VFA allows the diagnosis of a vertebral fracture. The sensitivity of VFA for detection of vertebral fractures compared to expert radiologist reading of X-ray is excellent for grade 2 and 3 fractures, ranging between 90-94%.

Conditions

  • Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
  • Spinal Fractures

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Prof. Dr. med. Kurt Lippuner

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Kurt Lippuner, Prof. Dr. · Interessengemeinschaft Osteoporose

Eligibility

Min Age
65 Years
Max Age
79 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2009-02-28
Primary Completion
2010-09-30
Completion
2011-06-30

Countries

  • Switzerland

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02234414 on ClinicalTrials.gov