Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Mortality Following Vertebral Compression Fractures Treated With Vertebroplasty

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objectives To evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on the timing of recurrent vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) and mortality following vertebroplasty (VP). Methods A total of 162 patients who underwent VP between 2015 and 2021 were included. Sarcopenia was assessed using the psoas lumbar vertebral index (PLVI). Patients were categorized into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups. Outcomes included second VCF incidence, time to second fracture, and overall mortality, analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results Sarcopenia was identified in 26 patients (19.1%). While the incidence of second VCFs was similar between groups (38.5% vs 41.9%, P = .743), the sarcopenia group experienced significantly shorter intervals to second fracture (13.6 vs 31.3 months, P < .05) and higher mortality (61.5% vs 11.1%, P < .05). Conclusions Sarcopenia may not increase the overall rate of recurrent VCFs but is associated with earlier recurrence and significantly elevated mortality following VP.