Vertebral fractures in patients with CKD and the general population: a call for diagnosis and action

Vertebral fractures (VFs) are the most common osteoporotic fractures in the general population, and they have been associated with high mortality, decreased quality of life, and high risk of subsequent fractures, especially when recent, multiple, or severe. Currently, VF diagnosis and classification determine fracture risk and the most appropriate anti-osteoporotic treatment. However, VFs are clearly underdiagnosed, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and CKD-associated osteoporosis has been disregarded until recently. VFs are associated with higher morbidity and mortality, and their prevalence and incidence differ depending on the grade of renal dysfunction (CKD G1-G5) and/or the type of renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation). In addition to classical risk factors [such as higher age, female sex, reduced bone mineral density, diabetes and steroid use], various other factors have been associated with an increased risk of VFs in CKD, including CKD grade, haemodialysis vintage, time since renal transplantation, low or high intact parathyroid hormone and phosphate levels, and/or vitamin D and K₁ deficiencies. Importantly, several clinical societies have recently modified their algorithms according to the fracture risk classification (including the presence of VFs) and determined the most appropriate anti-osteoporotic treatment for the general population. However, there are no specific guidelines addressing this topic in patients with CKD despite an important paradigm shift regarding the prognostic value of bone mineral density in 2017 after the publication of the CKD-Mineral and Bone Disorder Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. A proactive attitude towards diagnosis, treatment, and research is proposed to avoid therapeutic nihilism.