Key result
Aortic calcification linked to ~197% greater fracture risk versus no calcification.
Why the study?
The association between aortic calcification and risk of fractures had not been systematically assessed.
Is aortic calcification associated with an increased risk of fractures?
Meta-Analysis (n=21,927)
Is aortic calcification associated with an increased risk of fractures?
Odds Ratio: 2.97 (95% CI 1.98–4.42)
Aortic calcification is significantly associated with an increased risk of fractures in both hemodialysis patients and the general population.
May signal higher fracture risk with aortic calcification; hypothesis-generating and needs prospective confirmation before practice change.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to systematically assess the association between aortic calcification (AC) and fractures. METHOD: Relevant studies were identified through searching PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases before August 2014. Two investigators extracted data independently from the included studies. A random-effects model was derived to composite the pooled HRs or ORs for association of aortic calcification with fractures. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles (21927 subjects) were included in the final meta-analyses. Comparing with non-calcification subjects, patients with aortic calcification were associated with increased risk of fractures (OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.98-4.42). Stratified analysis indicated that patients with aortic calcification showed a higher risk of fractures in hemodialysis patients (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.33-2.67; I2 = 0.0%, p= 0.781) and general population (OR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.80-4.80; I2 = 33.0%, p= 0.225), respectively. Similar significant association between severe aortic calcification and fractures were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with aortic calcification or severe aortic calcification were associated with higher risk of fractures.
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Chen et al. (2016) conducted a meta-analysis in Aortic calcification (n=21,927). Aortic calcification vs. Non-calcification was evaluated on fractures (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.98-4.42). Aortic calcification was associated with an increased risk of fractures compared with non-calcification subjects (OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.98-4.42).
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