Identification of Risk Factors for Primary Osteoporosis: The Role of Cervical Ligament Ossification

Background:Long-term clinical practice has suggested a possible association between ossification of cervical ligament (OCL) and primary osteoporosis (POP).However, there is a lack of relevant research data.This study aimed to clarify the potential relationship between OCL and POP, and propose new strategies for preventing the onset of POP. Material/Methods:The study involved 107 patients.The patients' diagnosis included OCL (ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, ossification of the ligamentum flavum, and ossification of the nuchal ligament) and POP.Bone mineral density (BMD), types of OCL, types of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, age, sex, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen amino-terminal extension peptide, type I collagen degradation products, osteocalcin N-terminal molecular fragments, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and history of taking steroid drugs were collected.SPSS24.0 and GraphPad Prism 8 were used to obtain the risk factors for POP. Results:One-way analysis of variance found that OCL, ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin N-terminal molecular fragments had statistical significance on BMD of the femoral neck (P<0.05).The independent sample t test showed that patient sex had statistical significant effect on BMD