The prevalence of vertebral fractures in spondyloarthritis: relation to disease characteristics, bone mineral density, syndesmophytes and history of back pain and trauma

Moderate to severe VFs are found in more than 10% of patients with SpA before the age of 40 years in 5% of women and 9% in men. Most VFs are located in the thoracic region, are related to low femoral neck bone mineral density and to stiffening of the spine, and are only rarely related to trauma history. DXA is a useful alternative for diagnosing VFs.