Spinal fractures from osteoporosis linked to higher death rates
Among people with osteoporosis-related spinal fractures, men had an almost two-fold higher risk of death from any cause than women.
An observational study in Denmark examined 37,948 people with hospital-diagnosed vertebral compression fractures related to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones. These fractures occur when bones in the spine collapse. Researchers identified cases in Danish National Health registry records from January 2010 to December 2023. They matched people with fractures to people without these fractures by age, sex and municipality.
The researchers compared death rates at intervals from 30 days to three years. People with fractures had higher death rates than matched controls. Among those with fractures, men had higher death rates than women. The study included 12,693 men and 25,255 women with fractures.
Why it matters
As populations grow older, osteoporosis is an increasing public health concern. The authors called for greater attention to osteoporosis in men and its related health problems in research and clinical practice.
Caveats
The observational design cannot show that the fractures caused the higher death rates. The findings concern hospital-diagnosed fractures in Denmark.
The paper
University of Southern Denmark
Brain & Spine, 28 Sep 2026
