Patients with vertebral fragility fractures treated in hospital – could we do better?

Terence Ong is a Research Fellow funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust at the Department for Healthcare of Older People, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. He discusses his Age and Ageing Paper Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised patients with vertebral fragility fractures: a systematic review. He tweets @terenceongkk

Vertebral fragility fractures have received much attention lately due to growing research interest and increased awareness driven by high-profile osteoporosis groups such as the International Osteoporosis Foundation (through its vertebral fracture initiative) and the National Osteoporosis Society.

There is growing literature to support how well vertebral fragility fractures predicts future fractures, morbidity and risk of mortality. However, what has been lacking is research exploring the specific cohort of people with vertebral fractures who are admitted to hospital.