[Clinical sign--height loss and vertebral deformity]

Abstract

Loss of height may be an important clinical sign of vertebral deformation and/or fracture in postmenopausal women and elderly men. The presence of at least one spine fracture will lead to about a 2 cm decrease in height. Guidelines in the U.S. say that height loss greater than 1.5 inches or more from the maximum height among asymptomatic women may be associated with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. In Japan, the prevalence of spine deformation starts to increase among individuals in their early 70's, as does the prevalence of those with spine deformation at two or more vertebrae. It has been reported that not only individuals with clinical spine fracture but those with spine deformation show diminished activity of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) and also high mortality. Spine fracture should be suspected among individuals whose stature has decreased even if they manifest no symptoms.