Clinical impact of acute symptomatic vertebral fractures in the United States: A patient survey and chart review.
Academic Article
Overview
abstract
UNLABELLED: This survey of 116 patients aged ≥ 50 years with ≥ 1 confirmed symptomatic vertebral fracture within 36 weeks prior to enrollment showed that pain related to fracture persisted after 24 weeks for a subset of patients and affected activities of daily living. These data emphasize the importance of vertebral fracture prevention. PURPOSE: To describe pain persistence, severity, and effect on ADLs after symptomatic vertebral fracture. METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional survey of patients recruited from 7 United States clinical sites aged ≥ 50 years with ≥ 1 symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fracture diagnosed within the prior 36 weeks. Patients' experience of pain and its impact on ADLs during the past 7 days before the patient survey were evaluated. Data were collected through one-time patient surveys and retrospective medical chart review and analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Of 116 patients enrolled, most were postmenopausal women (83%), White (92%), and aged ≥ 65 years (83%); 37% were recruited within 12 weeks, 40% within > 12-24 weeks, and 23% within > 24-36 weeks of the symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Fractures were confirmed by x-ray (60%), magnetic resonance imaging (50%), and/or computed tomography scan (37%). Within 12 weeks of a vertebral fracture, pain was reported as constant/steady by 42% of patients. Pain frequency decreased over time, but even among patients with vertebral fracture > 24-36 weeks earlier, > 20% still reported constant/steady pain and > 80% reported at least intermittent pain. Pain severity scores of 7-10 were reported by 44% within 12 weeks, 30% within > 12-24 weeks, and 36% within > 24-36 weeks following the vertebral fracture. The most common movements increasing pain were standing up (55%), bending down (53%), and lifting (42%). ADLs most impacted were housework and walking. CONCLUSION: In this study, pain related to fracture persisted after 24 weeks and affected ADLs, emphasizing the importance of vertebral fracture prevention and pain management strategies.
