Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
Cortical Bone Assessment Using Ultrasonic Guided Waves: A Reproducibility Study in a Healthy Population
Published on: January 31, 2025
The Trabecular Bone Score as a Predictor for Thalassemia-Induced Vertebral Fractures in Northeastern Thailand
Nattiya Teawtrakul1, Sukanya Chukanhom2, Suranut Charoensri3
1Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Introduction:
Thalassemia bone disease is one of the disease-related complications in patients with thalassemia. Prevalence of fractures and the role of a trabecular bone score (TBS) as a predictive factor for fractures were evaluated in patients with thalassemia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with thalassemia aged ≥18 years at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. A lateral thoracolumbar radiograph and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and hip, as well as the TBS measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were evaluated in all patients.
Results:
Among 86 patients, 14 patients were found to have radiographic vertebral fracture yielding a prevalence of 16.3%. All patients who had fractures were β-thalassemia/Hb E. Combined low BMD and TBS at lumbar spines and a presence of endocrinopathies were significantly associated with vertebral fractures.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients with thalassemia was not uncommon. A combined low BMD and TBS and a presence of endocrinopathies were associated with vertebral fractures. These findings suggested that BMD testing and TBS measurement have a clinical implication as a screening tool for evaluating the risk of vertebral fractures in thalassemic patients, particularly in β-thalassemia/Hb E who have endocrinopathies.
