Probability of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures Assessment Based on DXA Measurements and Finite Element Simulation

• 作者: Antonio Herrera Antonio Lobo-Escolar Elena Ibarz Enrique López Jesús Mateo Luis Gracia Sergio Puértolas
• 来源期刊: 生命科学与技术进展(英文)
• 学科: 医学
• 关键词: Osteoporosis OSTEOPOROTIC VERTEBRAL FRACTURE Predictive Model Finite Elements FRACTURE Risk FRACTURE PROBABILITY
• 年，卷（期）: 2014,（6）
• 页码范围: 527-545
• 页数: 19页
• 分类号: R73

摘要

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures represent major cause of disability, loss of quality of life and even mortality among the elderly population. Decisions on drug therapy are based on the assessment of risk factors for fracture, from bone mineral density measurements. The combination of biomechanical models with clinical studies could better estimate bone strength and support the specialists in their decision. A model to assess the probability of fracture, based on the Damage and Fracture Mechanics has been developed, evaluating the mechanical magnitudes involved in the fracture process from clinical bone mineral density measurements. The model is intended for simulating the degenerative process in the skeleton, with the consequent lost of bone mass and hence the decrease of its mechanical resistance which enables the fracture due to different traumatisms. Clinical studies were chosen, both in non-treatment conditions and receiving drug therapy, and fitted to specific patients according their actual bone mineral density measures. The predictive model is applied in a finite element simulation of the lumbar spine. The fracture zone would be determined according loading scenario (fall, impact, accidental loads, etc.), using the mechanical properties of bone obtained from the evolutionary model corresponding to the considered time. Bone mineral density evolution in untreated patients and in those under different treatments was analyzed. Evolutionary curves of fracture probability were obtained from the evolution of mechanical damage. The evolutionary curve of the untreated group of patients presented a marked increase of the fracture probability, while the curves of patients under drug treatment showed variable decreased risks, depending on the therapy type. The finite element model allowed obtaining detailed maps of damage and fracture probability, identifying high-risk local zones at vertebral body, which are the usual localization of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The developed model is suitable for being used in