# DIFFERENT APPROACH TO BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN NON-TRAUMATIC SPINAL CORD INJURY: A COMPARISON WITH TRAUMATIC SPINAL CORD INJURY

## TL;DR

This study compares bone mineral density in non-traumatic and traumatic spinal cord injury patients, finding that older NTSCI patients have lower bone density in the lumbar spine.

## Contribution

Identifies the lumbar spine as a key diagnostic site for osteoporosis in older NTSCI patients, highlighting age-specific differences.

## Key findings

- Lumbar spine BMD and T-scores were significantly lower in NTSCI patients over 50 compared to TSCI patients.
- Female sex and low BMI were risk factors for osteoporosis in both NTSCI and TSCI groups over 50 years old.
- The lumbar spine was more frequently identified as an osteoporotic site in NTSCI patients aged 50+ than in TSCI patients.

## Abstract

The incidence of non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) is rising with an ageing population. This study identified diagnostic bone sites and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with NTSCI and those with TSCI according to age category.

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

1,159 with TSCI and 475 with NTSCI at the National Rehabilitation Center in Korea.

Diagnostic bone sites and BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were compared between groups and BMD risk factors were assessed.

The lumbar spine BMD and T-score values of osteoporosis were lower in the NTSCI group than in the TSCI group over 50 years old (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the DXA results between the NTSCI and TSCI under 50 years of age. As an osteoporotic diagnostic site in the NTSCI group (≥ 50 years) (43%), the lumbar spine had higher proportions than in the TSCI group (29%). Female sex and low body mass index were risk factors for osteoporosis in both groups (≥ 50 years).

BMD evaluation in patients aged 50 years and older with NTSCI should include the lumbar spine area. Individuals with risk factors for SCI must undergo BMD assessment and close monitoring.

The incidence of non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) is rising with an ageing population. This study identified diagnostic bone sites and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with NTSCI and TSCI categorized by age. Some 1,159 and 475 patients had TSCI and NTSCI, respectively. BMD, Z-scores and T-scores were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In individuals over 50 years old, the lumbar spine BMD and T-score values for osteoporosis were lower in the NTSCI group than in the TSCI group. There was no significant difference in the DXA results between the NTSCI and the TSCI groups under 50 years old. As an osteoporotic diagnostic site in the NTSCI group (≥ 50 years) (43%), the lumbar spine had higher proportions than in the TSCI group (29%). Female sex and low body mass index were risk factors for osteoporosis in both groups (≥ 50 years).