Association between body composite indices and vertebral fractures in pre and postmenopausal women in Korea

The association between obesity and vertebral fracture remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity/abdominal obesity and vertebral fracture according to menopausal status. This nationwide population-based epidemiologic study collected data from the Korean National Health Insurance Services to investigate the association between obesity/abdominal obesity and vertebral fracture in pre and postmenopausal women who underwent national cancer screening in 2009. We used three body composite indices of obesity, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, to classify participants into obesity and abdominal obesity groups. In both pre and postmenopausal groups, participants with obesity showed a higher risk of vertebral fracture and the association was stronger in those with abdominal obesity (p < 0.001). Participants with obesity showed a high risk of vertebral fracture, and the association was stronger in participants with abdominal obesity (p < 0.001). In both pre and postmenopausal groups, participants with obesity showed a higher risk of vertebral fracture (adjusted HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.19–1.30), (adjusted HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03–1.05, and those with abdominal obesity showed even higher risk of vertebral fractures (adjusted HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.27–1.43), (adjusted HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.11–1.14). Vertebral fracture risk is higher in pre and postmenopausal women with obesity and even higher in those with abdominal obesity. Therefore, weight management can prevent vertebral fractures.