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Vertebral fractures are far more common than most people realize — and they're often completely silent. A UK Biobank study found moderate or severe vertebral fractures in nearly 1 in 7 adults aged 40–79, with men nearly twice as likely to be affected as women. Surprisingly, many of these fractures occurred in people with normal bone density, challenging the assumption that low BMD is the key risk factor.
Vertebral fractures don't always announce themselves with pain — and a new study shows just how quietly they accumulate. Researchers analyzed DEXA spine images from 2,446 UK Biobank participants aged 40–79 and found moderate or severe vertebral fractures in 14.6% of them, despite none having a known fracture history. Using an AI-assisted morphometric algorithm verified by a radiologist, the team uncovered a condition that's flying under the clinical radar.
One of the study's most striking findings: men were significantly more affected than women (18.8% vs. 10.8%), flipping the conventional narrative that vertebral fractures are primarily a women's health issue. Obesity also emerged as a notable risk factor, with obese participants nearly twice as likely to have fractures compared to those with a normal BMI.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Many of these fractures occurred in people with normal bone mineral density, meaning standard screening tools may be missing a significant patient population. The authors highlight that opportunistic radiological evaluation — including on routine DXA scans — could be key to catching this under-recognized condition early.
