Prevalence and influencing factors of spinal cord injury-related osteoporosis and fragility fractures in Thai people with chronic spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional, observational study

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to loss of muscle activity and reduced bone loading, contributing to osteoporosis. Changes in autoimmune, neural, vascular, hormonal, and nutritional factors after SCI also negatively impact bone metabolism, further increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is used to diagnose SCI-related osteoporosis by measuring bone mineral density. Individuals with SCI are at a higher risk of lower extremity fractures, often occurring during daily activities. Ethnicity can influence the risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. This study investigates these factors in Thai individuals with chronic SCI, comparing FRAX® scores with and without bone mineral density values.

• 1
  The prevalence of SCI-related osteoporosis among the participants was 43.8%.
• 2
  Female sex, non-ambulatory status, and a spinal cord injury duration of at least 10 years increased the risk of SCI-related osteoporosis.
• 3
  FRAX® scores without BMD underestimated fracture risk in 7.8% of participants.