Study design: Retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological and clinical profile in a retrospective chart review of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and osteoporosis-related fractures.
Setting: A Brazilian rehabilitation hospital.
Methods: This is a retrospective chart review that included 325 individuals with SCI and osteoporosis-related fractures who were admitted to a Brazilian rehabilitation hospital between January 1997 and December 2017.
Results: Overall, 52% were males with a mean (SD) age of 44.8 (±16.7) years at the time of first fracture. Overall, 82% had paraplegia and 56% had a thoracic neurological level. The mean (SD) time between SCI and fracture was 9.7 (±9.3) years. In 59% of cases the immediate cause of the fracture was a fall. The locations of the fractures were distal femur (27%), proximal femur (27%), and tibia and/or distal fibula (28%). The fractures occurred mostly at home (63%). Complications occurred in 19% of individuals and 25% reported worse performance in activities of daily living and 29% a deterioration in ambulation after they had recovered from the fracture. A second fracture was described in 15% of individuals, and five individuals had a third fracture. The mean (SD) level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D] was 25.6 (±15.2) ng/ml, and only 11 individuals (3%) underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and 26 individuals (8%) were treated with antiresorptive drugs after fracture.
Conclusion: Little is done to prevent fractures in individuals with SCI and understanding the clinical and epidemiological profiles will help identify risk factors and establish prevention programs and appropriate treatment.