High Frequency of Fractures in an Early Stage of MS

Abstract

Objective: Low-energy (fragility) fractures of the distal forearm, femur, and vertebrae are usually associated with osteoporosis. There is an increased risk of fractures and low bone mineral density in patients with MS, even during the early stages of the disease. We evaluated the prevalence and features of low-energy fractures in a populationbased MS cohort residing in a region of Finland near the Arctic. Methods:The prevalence of fractures was determined in 491 patients who had been newly diagnosed with clinically definite MS. The fracture type, as well as the association between the duration of MS and the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, with a fracture event was determined. Results:The prevalence of fragility fractures was 7.1%. The most frequent fracture types were vertebral (19.2%), distal forearm (19.2%), and ankle (25%), and the majority were low-energy fractures. The majority of fractures occurred within five years of MS diagnosis verification in non-disabled to moderately disabled patients (EDSS score 0-4). The mean MS patient age at which low-energy fracture events occurred was 42.5 years (95% CI, 38.3-46.6 years). Osteoporosis had only been clinically investigated in 26% of patients with fragility fractures, 89% of whom returned a positive finding. Conclusions:The prevalence of low-energy vertebrae fractures was notably high in the present cohort; however, the presence of osteoporosis was poorly evaluated in clinical practice for this cohort.

Risk of osteoporotic fractures in multiple sclerosis patients in southwest Finland

“…In our country, vitamin D deficiency is common both among patients with MS and the general population . A previous study from northern Finland suggested a high frequency of fractures in early stage of MS . The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of MS and the risk of osteoporotic fractures among Finnish patients with MS compared with age‐ and gender‐matched controls from a large hospital district in southwest Finland.…”