Search

Objective: To measure the impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of a sample of Mexicans with vertebral fractures., Material and Methods: One hundred fifteen subjects with vertebral fractures were interviewed and compared with 135 subjects similar in age without the fracture. Subjects were men and women > 50 years of age with osteoporosis confirmed by bone mineral densitometry and with at least 1 vertebral fracture verified by vertebral morphometry and Xrays. The sample was recruited from two sources: The Clínica de Osteoporosis at the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación and a random sample from the Latin American Osteoporosis Study. The Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO) validated in Spanish for the Mexican population was applied. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and clinical aspects of the sample, as well as χ2 for categorical variables and Student t test for independent samples for continuous variables. A multiple linear regression (LR) was conducted to characterize predictive variables related to quality of life., Results: Two hundred fifty subjects were interviewed; 64% of them were women. The average age of those interviewed was 73.4 ± 11.4 years; 46% of the sample had vertebral fractures; of them 43% of were lumbar and 57% thoracic; the most frequent site was L1-T12. Significant changes were found in the group with fractures in pain, physical function, social function, and mental function (p < 0.05); in women, pain and social function were different between groups (p < 0.05); and those over 70 years also presented differences in physical, social, and mental function (p < 0.05); differences were found associated with the place of recruitment being worse in their quality of life those coming from the Clínica de Osteoporosis. Two or more fractures, age, being female and widowed were significant predictors for greater deterioration of HRQoL with the LR., Conclusion: This is the first study looking at the HRQoL in osteoporosis related fractures in Mexicans were quality of life deterioration on physical, social, and emotional functioning was demonstrated in subjects with two vertebral fractures. Age is a determining factor for greater deterioration in all studied domains. Differences between the samples obtained at the Clínica de Osteoporosis at the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación and the random population exemplifying that asymptomatic fractures are common and not diagnosed. It is important to scrutinize vertebral fractures at the first level because their timely detection allows for their evaluation and treatment and diminishes the probability of a second fracture. Our results can be generalized to men and women over 50 who live in the central megalopolis and in other states of the Valley of México.

PurposeTo conduct a review of the current state of the evidence for rehabilitation strategies post-fragility fracture.MethodsNarrative review conducted by the Rehabilitation Working Group of the International Osteoporosis Foundation Committee of Scientific Advisors characterizing the range of rehabilitation modalities instrumental for the management of fragility fractures.ResultsMulti-modal exercise post-fragility fracture to the spine and hip is strongly recommended to reduce pain, improve physical function, and improve quality of life. Outpatient physiotherapy post-hip fracture has a stronger evidence base than outpatient physiotherapy post-vertebral fracture. Appropriate nutritional care after fragility fracture provides a large range of improvement in morbidity and mortality. Education increases understanding of osteoporosis which in turn increases utilization of other rehabilitation services. Education may improve other health outcomes such as pain and increase a patient's ability for self-advocacy.ConclusionRehabilitation interventions are inter-reliant, and research investigating the interaction of exercise, nutrition, and other multi-modal therapies may increase the relevance of rehabilitation research to clinical care.