# Obesity Is Associated with Asymptomatic Vertebral Fractures: A Yakumo Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that obesity and high body fat are linked to silent spinal fractures in older adults, even when they don't show symptoms.

## Contribution

The study identifies body fat percentage as a novel factor associated with asymptomatic vertebral fractures in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

## Key findings

- Participants with asymptomatic vertebral fractures had significantly higher BMI and body fat percentage.
- The F group showed higher knee osteoarthritis incidence and joint pain scores compared to the non-VF group.
- Logistic regression confirmed body fat percentage as a significant predictor of asymptomatic vertebral fractures.

## Abstract

(1) Background: Patients with primary vertebral fracture (VF) are at high risk of re-fracture and mortality. However, approximately two-thirds of patients with VFs receive minimal clinical attention. (2) Methods: The current study aimed to investigate the factors associated with asymptomatic VFs in middle-aged and elderly individuals who underwent resident health examinations. (3) Results: The current study included 217 participants aged > 50 years. VFs were diagnosed based on lateral radiographic images using Genant’s semiquantitative (SQ) method. The participants were divided into non-VF (N; SQ grade 0) and asymptomatic VF (F; SQ grades 1–3) groups. Data on body composition, blood tests, quality of life measures, and radiographic parameters were assessed. A total of 195 participants were included in the N group (mean age, 64.8 ± 7.8 years), and 22 were in the F group (mean age, 66.1 ± 7.9 years). The F group had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), and proportion of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) than the N group. The F group had a significantly higher knee joint pain visual analog scale (VAS) score and painDETECT score than the N group. Logistic regression analysis showed that BF% was associated with asymptomatic VFs. (4) Conclusions: Middle-aged and elderly individuals with asymptomatic VF presented with high BMIs, BF%, and incidence of KOA.