Higher Mortality Rate in Patients with Vertebral Compression Fractures is due to Deteriorated Medical Status Prior to the Fracture Event

Abstract

Introduction Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are the most common low-energy fractures in older people and are associated with increased mortality. To assess mortality risk in patients suffering from VCF, we conducted a retrospective observational long-term cohort study. Patients and Methods The study included 270 patients. 221 patients were treated conservatively, and 49 were treated with vertebroplasty. The study group was compared to a control group of 1641 random individuals age and sex-matched. Electronic healthcare data extracted included monthly chronic medications taken regularly 3 months before hospitalisation, analgesics excluded, and date of death. Results Patients who suffer from VCF tend to consume more chronic medications. The mean count of chronic medication prescriptions in the 3 months before hospitalisation was 16.41 (±9.11) in the VCF group and 11.52 (± 7.17) in the control cohort ( P < .0001). In univariate analysis, patients with VCF showed decreased long-term survival ( P < .00). However, when controlled for age, sex, and chronic medications uptake, no significant difference was observed between the groups in a multivariate model ( P = .12). Conclusions The study demonstrates that VCF as an independent variable has a marginal effect on mortality. The higher mortality prevalent in these patients is due to the deteriorated health status of the patients before fracture.