Risk factors for thoracic-osteoporotic thoracic vertebral compression fractures during the normalized prevention and control period of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

Some scholars believe that there is a certain correlation between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF), but no relevant domestic research reports have been published yet. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients admitted for OVCF and treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty during the normalized prevention and control period of COVID-19 in Shanghai (after June 1, 2022), aiming to explore the individual differences of OVCF patients during this special period and analyze the risk factors for OVCF.

AIM: To explore risk factors for senile OVCF during COVID-19 normalization.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 230 OVCF patients (June 2022 to June 2023, percutaneous vertebroplasty, observation group) and 236 controls (June 2020 to June 2021, OVCF surgery). Observation group was split into nucleic acid-positive (n = 85) and negative (n = 145) subgroups. Fracture location/cause, visual analogue scale, activity scores were compared; risk factors identified.

RESULTS

Observation group had 42.2% thoracic fractures and 38.2% cough-induced fractures (both higher than controls, P < 0.05). No significant differences in post-op visual analogue scale (1 day, 1 month) or activity scores (P > 0.05). Nucleic acid results, fracture cause/location correlated (P < 0.05; cause-location r = 0.827). Logistic regression showed fracture cause, nucleic acid result, body mass index, bone mineral density as high-risk factors.

CONCLUSION

During COVID-19 normalization, cough is the top OVCF cause; thoracic fractures rise. The four factors above are independent risks. For elderly COVID-positive patients with recurrent cough, lung disease treatment, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and thoracic braces prevent thoracic OVCF.