Bone metabolism, vitamin D key in postkyphoplasty breaks

(HealthDay) -- For postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, bone metabolism and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels are associated with postkyphoplasty recurrent vertebral compression fractures, according to a study published online April 12 in The Spine Journal.

To investigate the incidence of recurrent fractures after kyphoplasty, Christos P. Zafeiris, M.D., of the University of Athens in Greece, and colleagues conducted a prospective study of 40 postmenopausal women (mean age, 70.6 years) with osteoporosis and acute symptomatic vertebral compression fractures, who underwent a total of 98 kyphoplasties. The association between status of bone metabolism and 25(OH)D levels and fractures was examined. Patients were followed for 18 months.

After initial kyphoplasty, the researchers found that nine patients (22.5 percent) developed a vertebral compression fracture; in seven patients (17.5 percent), cement leakage was identified. Compared to patients with recurrent fractures, higher levels of 25(OH)D and lower N-terminal cross linked telopeptide values were seen in patients without recurrent factures.

"Bone metabolism and 25(OH)D levels seem to play a role in the occurrence of postkyphoplasty recurrent vertebral compression fractures," the authors write.

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