Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low-Energy Skeletal Fractures in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. The Results of a Multicenter Study of the Russian Association on Osteoporosis Glukost

Abstract

Objectives. This study is a part of GLUKOST study hosted and organized by the Russian Association of Osteoporosis. The aim was to estimate the incidence and risk factors of fractures in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. Materials and Methods. A specially designed questionnaire was introduced to patients with chronic inflammatory diseases in different regions of Russia. The study included 2342 patients aged 18 to 89 years (mean age 53.02 ± 14.03 years, 591 men and 1181 women). The patients were allocated into two groups: group 1 (n = 1402) - patients never prescribed oral long acting glucocorticoids (OGC); group 2 (n = 929) - patients who received oral long acting glucocorticoids for more than 2 months or continue to take at the time of the survey. The median duration of OGC therapy was 3 years, the median daily dose - 10 mg of prednisone or equivalent. Results. Low-energy fractures of the skeleton were identified in 9.0% of patients not receiving therapy OGC, and 15.5% of patients receiving or previously treated with this therapy. Significant risk factor for fractures was the length of a chronic inflammatory disease. OGC therapy increased the risk (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval (95% CI)) of osteoporotic fractures, regardless of their location by 2.2-fold (95% CI 1.63-3.02, p <0,001), vertebral fractures - by 5.0 - fold (95% CI 2.05-12.37, p <0.001), distal forearm 1.8-fold (95% CI 1.10-2.84, p = 0.02). The frequency of fractures in group 2 was increased in men and women of different age groups, but a significant increase in risk was demonstrated only in postmenopausal women and men 50 years and older. We were unable to identify a relationship of fractures with a daily dose of OGC. Conclusion. The main risk factors for osteoporotic fractures in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases are age, duration of the underlying disease, and long-term use of oral glucocorticoids.