Background: Persons with vertebral fracture may have reduced pulmonary function, but this association has not been much studied. The aim of this cross-sectional study was therefore to examine the relationship between vertebral fracture and pulmonary function in a general, elderly population.
Methods: Vertebral morphometry was used for vertebral fracture assessment in 2132 elderly men (n = 892) and women (n = 1240) aged 55 to 87 years in the population-based Tromsø Study 2007-08. Pulmonary function was examined by spirometry. Pulmonary function was expressed as FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted, and FEV1/FVC% predicted values, adjusted FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC, and obstructive and restrictive ventilatory impairment. Vertebral fracture was classified according to appearance, number, severity, and location of fractures. Associations were analyzed using general linear and logistic models.
Results: FVC% predicted and FEV1% predicted values were not associated with vertebral fracture (P > 0.05), whereas FEV1/FVC% predicted ratio was associated with both prevalent fracture, number of fractures, severity of fractures, and fracture site in men (P < 0.05), but not in women. When FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC values were adjusted for multiple covariates, we found no significant association with vertebral fracture. Obstructive and restrictive ventilatory impairment was not associated with prevalent vertebral fracture.
Conclusions: In conclusion, this study did not confirm any clinically relevant associations between prevalent vertebral fracture and ventilatory impairment in elderly individuals.