Following the 1-34PTH application for conservative treatment of Kümmell's disease, the intravertebral cleft was filled or bridged by the osseous tissue; the radiological evidence of further collapsing was absent. Pain and the neurological disorder were relieved; bone turnover markers, BMD as well as the health-related quality of life were improved.
Introduction: Kümmell's disease (KD) patients with severe osteoporosis were applied by the 1-34PTH; the fracture union and the increased bone mineral density (BMD) following this treatment were retrospectively reviewed.
Methods: Twenty-one postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) patients with KD received at least 6 months of 1-34PTH treatment. The medical records, including clinical evaluation symptoms, radiological evaluation for bone union and the stability of intravertebral vacuum cleft (IVC), BMD, and laboratory examination for osteoporosis recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), were reviewed.
Results: From baseline to month 12, visual analog scale decreased from 8.24 ± 0.54 to 1.71 ± 0.56 (P < 0.001) and the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores increased from 6.86 ± 1.77 to 10.43 ± 1.29 (P < 0.001). Sagittal CT demonstrated that the IVC was filled or bridged by the osseous tissue in all patients. Within the vertebra, the IVC area (IVCA) decreased from 4.50 ± 2.50 to 0 mm2 (P = 0.001) and the mineralized bone area (MBA) increased from 170.91 ± 102.23 to 259.56 ± 98.60 mm2 (P < 0.001). The area ratio of IVC to vertebra decreased from 0.97 ± 0.46 to 0% (P < 0.001), and the area ratio of mineral bone to vertebra was increased from 32.85 ± 14.51 to 54.97 ± 14.01% (P < 0.001). The kyphosis angle increment was 3.43 ± 1.80°, and the loss rate of anterior border height was 11.14 ± 4.82%. No differences were found in posterior border height and spinal canal diameter. The PINP, β-CTx, BMD, and Short Form-36 Health Survey scores markedly increased.
Conclusions: In KD patients with severe PMOP, 1-34PTH treatment could alleviate the clinical evaluation symptoms, facilitate the recovery of the intravertebral stability, ameliorate the BMD, and improve the HRQoL.
Keywords: 1-34PTH; Intravertebral instability; Intravertebral vacuum cleft; Kümmell’s disease; Osseous union; Quality of life.