Affiliations: [a] Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China | [b] Department of Epidemiology & Health Statistics, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author:: Yunxian Yu, Department of Epidemiology & Health Statistics, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu-Hang-Tang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China. Tel.: +86 571 88208191; Fax: +86 571 88208194; E-mail:yu88208191@163.com
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to
systematically assess the association between aortic calcification
(AC) and fractures. METHOD: Relevant studies were identified through searching PubMed,
EMBASE and Cochrane databases before August 2014. Two investigators
extracted data independently from the included studies. A random-effects
model was derived to composite the pooled HRs or ORs for association of
aortic calcification with fractures. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles (21927 subjects) were included in
the final meta-analyses. Comparing with non-calcification subjects, patients
with aortic calcification were associated with increased risk of fractures
(OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.98-4.42). Stratified analysis indicated that patients
with aortic calcification showed a higher risk of fractures in hemodialysis
patients (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.33-2.67; I2 = 0.0%, p= 0.781) and
general population (OR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.80-4.80; I2 = 33.0%, p= 0.225), respectively. Similar significant association between severe
aortic calcification and fractures were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with aortic calcification or severe aortic
calcification were associated with higher risk of fractures.
