RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Lumbar Disc Degeneration in Osteoporotic Men: Prevalence and Assessment of the Relation with Presence of Vertebral Fracture JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1183 OP 1190 DO 10.3899/jrheum.120769 VO 40 IS 7 A1 Isabelle Fabreguet A1 Jacques Fechtenbaum A1 Karine Briot A1 Simon Paternotte A1 Christian Roux YR 2013 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/40/7/1183.abstract AB Objective. The relationship between osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) remains controversial. An inverse relationship between spine OA and the presence of prevalent vertebral fractures has been shown in osteoporotic women. Our objective was to assess this relationship in osteoporotic men. Methods. All the patients had OP based on densitometric data and were aged ≥ 65 years. Spine radiographs were performed according to a standardized procedure. Vertebral fractures were assessed from T4 to L4 by a semiquantitative method. Disc degenerative changes were assessed by the presence and severity of osteophytes and disc narrowing at levels T12–L1 to L5–S1. Logistic regression was used to study the relationship between the presence of vertebral fracture and lumbar disc degeneration. Results. The study included 261 osteoporotic men. The prevalence of vertebral fractures was 26.4% (69/261). At least 1 osteophyte was found in 91.6% (239/261) of patients, and at least 1 disc space narrowing in 63.5% (165/260). The prevalence of at least 1 osteophyte and/or at least 1 disc space narrowing was similar in patients with and those without vertebral fracture. No relationship was found between the presence and/or the severity of osteophytes and disc narrowings and the presence of prevalent vertebral radiographic fractures. Conclusion. In osteoporotic men, the prevalence of lumbar spine degeneration is high. There is no relationship between lumbar disc degeneration and the presence of vertebral fracture in osteoporotic men.