Fractures Among Egyptian Males With Fragility Hip Fractures in the Emergency Room of Ain Shams University Hospitals
Adel A. Abbas (1), Mohamed F. Allam (2), Hala S. Sweed (1), Samia
A. Abdul-Rahman (1), Walaa W. Ali (1).
1) Geriatrics,
Ain Shams University, Cairo, EGY. 2) Preventive Medicine and Public Health,
University of Cordoba, Cordoba, ESP. 3) Family Medicine, Ain Shams University,
Cairo, EGY.
Cureus 15(12): e49960.
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49960
Abstract
Background.
Fragility fractures are linked to significant costs for society
as well as significant pain and suffering, disability, and even death. It is
well-recognized that osteoporosis-related fragility fractures raise the risk of
subsequent fragility fractures. One of the most frequent osteoporotic fractures
brought on by low bone mineral density and other risk factors is vertebral
fractures. Considering that most vertebral fractures are asymptomatic and not
clinically identified, proactive screening could stop additional impairment.
Objective.
The current study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hidden
vertebral fractures in Egyptian males who have fragility hip fractures.
Patients
and methods. A cross-sectional case-control study
examining the correlation of risk factors between cases (fragility hip fracture
and vertebral fractures) and a control group (fragility hip fracture without
vertebral fracture) was carried out from September 2020 to September 2021 on
patients visiting the orthopedic emergency department of a university hospital
in Cairo, Egypt. Males who presented to the emergency room (ER) with fragility
hip fractures and were 40 years of age or older met our inclusion criteria. For
every patient who presented with a fragility hip fracture, standard lateral and
anteroposterior radiographs of the dorso-lumbar spine were taken.
Results.
A total of 43,935 patients visited the orthopedic emergency room (ER)
throughout the study period; 13,034 of those patients were men, accounting for
29.7% of all orthopedic ER visits. Our inclusion criteria for fragility hip
fractures were met by 132 male participants. The screening lumbosacral plain
X-rays identified 27 (20.5%) of the 132 patients as having concomitant
vertebral fractures in addition to the fragility hip fractures. Concomitant
hidden vertebral fractures among Egyptian males with other fragility fractures,
particularly fragility hip fractures, are predicted by the number of co-morbid
diseases, hypertension, and continuous use of steroids and anti-epileptics.
Conclusion. Most fragility fractures are avoidable. Because one fragility fracture
increases the likelihood of others, early detection is crucial. To prevent
complications and mortality, it is important to identify and manage individuals
who have a fragility hip fracture as they frequently have concurrent hidden
vertebral fractures. Predictive risk factors for fragility vertebral fractures
include hypertension, the number of concomitant illnesses, and chronic drugs
(anti-epileptics and steroids).
Keywords: Ain Shams University, Egypt, Male, Vertebral
Fracture, Hip Fracture, Osteoprosis, Fragility Fracture.
Abbas A A, Allam M F, Sweed H S, et al. (December 05, 2023) Proportion of Hidden Vertebral Fractures Among Egyptian Males With Fragility Hip Fractures in the Emergency Room of Ain Shams University Hospitals. Cureus 15(12): e49960. DOI 10.7759/cureus.49960
