Prevalence of asymptomatic vertebral fractures in late-onset Pompe disease
Abstract
CONTEXT: Bone fragility and low bone mass have been reported in small case series of patients with Pompe disease with severely reduced muscle strength or immobilization.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures and to evaluate bone mass in adults with late-onset Pompe disease.
DESIGN: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional observational study from August 2012 to December 2013.
STUDY SETTING: All subjects were outpatients referred to University Referral Centers.
PATIENTS: PATIENTS included 22 late-onset Pompe disease patients with progressive proximal myopathy and minimal respiratory involvement without other diseases affecting bone mass.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures was systematically assessed by semiquantitative analysis of lateral spine x-rays (T4-L5).
RESULTS: A high prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures was found. At least 1 vertebral fracture was present in 17 of 22 patients (77%). All vertebral fractures were asymptomatic. Bone mineral density was normal in 36.5% of the patients, whereas 36.5% were osteopenic and 27% were osteoporotic in at least 1 site. Fracture prevalence was independent of muscular and respiratory functional parameters and of genotype.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data show for the first time that asymptomatic and atraumatic vertebral fractures occur frequently in late-onset Pompe disease patients without a significant impairment of bone mass. Screening…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 17 participants or records.
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