The spinal bone fracture of the aged women

The deformity or fracture of the spines, bone mineral density (BMD) of radius and spines by anterior-posterior scans and lateral scans, and metabolic bone markers were examined in the old women. The probability of fracture was less than 10% in women with L3 BMD over 0.786g/cm2, and new fractures were not found during 12 months follow-up in these patients. Among the various metabolic parameters, bone Gla protein (BGP)/hydroxyproline (Hp) excretion ratio was one of the clinically useful indices if combined with BMD. The intensive therapy may not be necessary to patients with low BMD if they show high BGP/Hp ratio. Patients with low BMD and low BGP/Hp ratio should be treated intensively in the old women.