Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Necessity of Measurement of Bone Mineral Density in Patients Requiring Spine Surgery

Keimyung Medical Journal 2012;31(1):94-102.

척추수술이 필요한 환자에서의 골다공증의 유병률 및 골밀도 검사의 필요성

권재은; 김인수

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis in the patients with back pain and the necessity of pre-operative measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients requiring spine surgery. Methods: From March 2005 to February 2012; we measured 1310 patients of BMD by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the patient with back pain. According to each age group of a decade; we compared BMD of the patients among the conservative treatment group (group A); spine surgery group (group B) and major spine surgery group except vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty (group C). We also evaluated the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia of the three groups. Results: Among 1217 patients older than 50 years old; 483 patients (332 female; 151 male) had undertaken spine surgery. Out of the 332 female patients; there were 222 (66.9%) with osteoporosis; and 82 (24.7%) with osteopenia. Among the 151 male patients; there were 55 (36.4%) with osteoporosis; and 56 (37.1%) with osteopenia. 276 patients (171 female; 105 male) had undertaken major spine surgery except vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Out of 171 female patients; there were 83 (48.54%) with osteoporosis; and 63 (36.8%) with osteopenia. Among 105 male patients; there were 22 (21%) with osteoporosis; and 45 (42.9%) with osteopenia. The prevalence of osteoporosis over 50 years old was respectively 54.6% in conservative treatment group; 57.3% in whole spine surgery group; and 38.2% in major spine surgery group. Conclusion: The patients over 50 years old who have back pain symptom often have osteoporosis. We recommend pre-operative evaluation of osteoporosis for patients requiring spine surgery; especially over 50 years old in female patients.

Key Words: Bone mineral density, Osteoporosis, Spine surgery