Potential Predictive Factors for Clinical Outcomes Following Progressive Pain Reduction Associated With Conservative Treatment for Recently Diagnosed Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures: A Case Control Study

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to elucidate a potential predictive factor for poor clinical outcomes in the conservative treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Materials: and Methods This is a study of the vertebrae of 41 patients selected from 63 patients with recent osteoporotic fractures admitted to our hospital from April 2013 to March 2015. Patients with dementia were excluded. We analyzed visual analog scale (VAS: 0‒100 mm) scores and dynamic radiographic images over time for up to 12 weeks after admission. Our statistical analyses were designed to identify factors that were significantly associated with pain prolongation. Results: Logistic regression analysis using a stepwise method revealed that the independent factor significantly associated with failure for 50% pain reduction at the final follow-up visit was VAS reduction rate at week 3 (OR = 9.0, 95% CI 0.5–17.6, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Patients who responded well to treatment reported a reduction in pain during the first 3 weeks of treatment versus nonresponders who did not. It may be possible to predict the prognosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures early during the first 3 weeks after hospital admission.