Although greater kyphosis increased the rate of incident vertebral fractures, analysis did not show an independent association of kyphosis on incident fracture, after adjustment for prevalent vertebral fracture. This according to a study of 3,038 women aged 55 to 81 years with low bone mineral density (BMD). Researchers found:

• Mean baseline kyphosis was 48°.

• At baseline, 32% of patients had a prevalent fracture.

• There were 221 incident fractures over a median 4 years.

• At baseline, prevalent fracture was associated with 3.7° greater average kyphosis, adjusting for age and femoral neck BMD.

• Before adjusting for prevalent fracture, each 10° greater kyphosis was associated with a 22% increase in annualized rate of new radiographic vertebral fracture, adjusting for age and femoral neck BMD.

• After adjustment for prevalent fracture, estimated increased annualized rate was attenuated and no longer significant, 8% per 10° kyphosis.

Citation: Katzman WB, Vittinghoff E, Kado DM, Lane NE, Ensrud KE, Shipp K. Thoracic kyphosis and rate of incident vertebral fractures: the Fracture Intervention Trial. [Published online ahead of print January 18, 2016]. Osteoporos Int. doi: 10.1007/s00198-015-3478-2.