# Characterizing the Lipid Profile in Patients with Vertebral or Hip Fragility Fractures: A Hospital-Based Descriptive Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that patients with vertebral fractures have different lipid levels compared to those with hip fractures, suggesting distinct metabolic patterns that could help in managing fragility fractures.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific lipid profile differences between vertebral and hip fragility fracture patients, offering new insights into their metabolic distinctions.

## Key findings

- Patients with vertebral fractures had significantly higher levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C compared to those with hip fractures.
- Age was inversely associated with TC, TG, and LDL-C but positively associated with HDL-C.
- Vertebral fracture patients had higher prevalence of abnormally high TC, TG, and LDL-C but lower prevalence of abnormally low HDL-C compared to hip fracture patients.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Fragility fractures, particularly in the vertebra and hip, are a significant health concern in the elderly, often associated with osteoporosis. Emerging evidence suggests a link between lipid profiles and bone health, but the characteristics of lipid biomarkers in patients with fragility fractures remain underexplored. Methods: This study analyzed serum lipid biomarkers, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in 10,540 patients aged 50 and older with either vertebral or hip fragility fractures. We compared lipid levels between the two fracture groups and examined the relationship between lipid profiles and baseline characteristics of patients. Results: Patients with vertebral fractures exhibited significantly higher serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C compared to those with hip fractures. These differences remained statistically significant after adjusting for confounding variables. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that age was inversely associated with TC, TG, and LDL-C, but positively associated with HDL-C. All lipid levels were significantly higher in women than in men. Time from fracture to admission and BMI were positively associated with TG levels and inversely associated with HDL-C. Vertebral fracture patients had a higher prevalence of abnormally high TC (3.03% vs. 0.78%), TG (9.15% vs. 3.54%), and LDL-C (2.80% vs. 1.04%), but lower prevalence of abnormally low HDL-C (20.53% vs. 26.66%; p < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: Our findings highlight distinct lipid profile characteristics in patients with vertebral and hip fragility fractures, suggesting that physiological or metabolic changes following different fracture types may differentially influence lipid metabolism. These insights may inform targeted prevention and management strategies for fragility fractures.