Dynamics of pain syndrome and quality of life in the application of vertebroplasty in patients with vertebral fractures against osteoporosis

Abstract

Currently, insufficient attention is being paid to an issue of the necessary anti-osteoporotic therapy after percutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral fractures associated with osteoporosis, which leads to premature termination of medical treatment and worsening of the treatment results in this group of patients.  An objective of the research is to study the results of treatment of patients with vertebral fractures associated with osteoporosis, depending on the use of anti-osteoporotic therapy. The results of percutaneous vertebroplasty of 91 postmenopausal women aged 50-90 years, depending on the use of anti-osteoporotic therapy during the postoperative period were analysed.  An assessment was made according to the dynamics of pain syndrome using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Quality of Life Scale by J.R. Gaughen to estimate the patient's mobility and a need for pain medication. The results of the treatment were assessed 3 and 6 months after the percutaneous vertebroplasty. Bone mineral density was measured using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry 6 month after the treatment. Anti-osteoporotic therapy, which was prescribed for all patients comprised calcium supplements, antiresorbents and in D-hypovitaminosis – alfacalcidol or cholecalciferol. Only half of the patients followed the recommendations – 46 (50.6%), while the rest of the patients stopped the therapy in 2-3 months due to the improvement of their condition. In the main group of patients, where necessary anti-osteoporotic therapy was administered, significant reduction of pain syndrome and increase in quality of life during 3 and 6 months’ observation period were revealed. In the group of patients where prescribed anti-osteoporotic therapy was not adhered, significant reduction of pain syndrome and increase in quality of life in the observation period 3 months was revealed but deterioration in the form of pain syndrome increase and decrease in quality of life in the observation period of 6 months occurred. Effectiveness of anti-osteoporosis therapy, with regard to measuring bone mineral density can be reliably confirmed only in the main group. Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred up to 5.5%, and generally did not require further treatment and did not affect the overall treatment result. Thus, it was revealed that to ensure a stable effect after the surgery, long-term prescription of anti-osteoporosis therapy is needed.