BACKGROUND: The prevalence of radiographically defined vertebral deformities, as a marker of vertebral osteoporosis, was calculated in a population based cross-sectional survey in Germany. METHOD: Lateral spine X-rays were taken according to a standardized protocol and evaluated centrally. Three thousand nine hundred and eighty subjects (2064 male and 1916 female) aged 50 to 79 years, have been examined in 8 German centers. RESULTS: Based on McCloskey's method of deformity definition the age-standardized mean prevalence of vertebral deformities in Germany was 10.2% for males and 10.5% for females. Based on the definition by Melton/Eastell a significant higher prevalence was calculated (males 17.8%, females 18.7%). The prevalence increased with age in both sexes with a steeper increase in females. There was no difference in East and West German populations. There were substantial variations between the centers regarding the prevalence of deformities in females and males.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of radiographically defined vertebral deformities, as a marker of vertebral osteoporosis, was calculated in a population based cross-sectional survey in Germany. METHOD: Lateral spine X-rays were taken according to a standardized protocol and evaluated centrally. Three thousand nine hundred and eighty subjects (2064 male and 1916 female) aged 50 to 79 years, have been examined in 8 German centers. RESULTS: Based on McCloskey's method of deformity definition the age-standardized mean prevalence of vertebral deformities in Germany was 10.2% for males and 10.5% for females. Based on the definition by Melton/Eastell a significant higher prevalence was calculated (males 17.8%, females 18.7%). The prevalence increased with age in both sexes with a steeper increase in females. There was no difference in East and West German populations. There were substantial variations between the centers regarding the prevalence of deformities in females and males.