Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a significant health concern in Ireland, with 6.2% of men and 20% of women over 50 affected in 2021. Vertebral fractures, the most common type of osteoporotic fracture, often go undiagnosed, with 70% remaining undetected. Vertebral Fracture Assessments (VFAs) during routine DXA scans enable early detection of low bone density and timely intervention, using low doses of ionising radiation. The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) provides guidelines for identifying patients who would benefit most from VFAs.

Aim: This audit aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VFAs performed at our local test centre, assessing whether they met both local and ISCD criteria and identifying the impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods: We reviewed the local DXA database and analyzed the last 50 patients who had VFAs based on local indication criteria. We assessed whether the VFAs met local and ISCD criteria, identified new fractures, and noted any changes in clinical treatment.

Results: All 50 patients who underwent VFAs met local criteria, with 37 also meeting ISCD criteria. New vertebral fractures were identified in 21 patients (42%). Additionally, three patients who met local but not ISCD criteria had new fractures detected, leading to recommended treatment.

Conclusion: VFAs are effective in detecting new vertebral fractures, with a high yield of 42% at our centre. The local criteria were more comprehensive than ISCD standards, significantly influencing treatment outcomes.