Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (3): 731-739.doi: 10.12307/2025.869

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A meta-analysis of risk factors for residual back pain after vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Yang Peng1, 2, Xu Chenghan2, Zhou Yingjie2, Chai Xubin2, Zhuo Hanjie2, Li Lin1, 2, Shi Jinyu1, 2   

  1. 1Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China; 2Department of Spine Surgery II, Henan Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital (Henan Orthopedic Hospital), Luoyang 471002, Henan Province, China 
  • Received:2024-11-15 Accepted:2024-12-31 Online:2026-01-28 Published:2025-07-07
  • Contact: Zhou Yingjie, MS, Professor, Chief physician, Department of Spine Surgery II, Henan Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital (Henan Orthopedic Hospital), Luoyang 471002, Henan Province, China
  • About author:Yang Peng, Master candidate, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China; Department of Spine Surgery II, Henan Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital (Henan Orthopedic Hospital), Luoyang 471002, Henan Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Henan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance and Innovation Talent Project (Zhongjing Project) (to ZYJ) 

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures still have residual back pain after vertebral augmentation. The current research is characterized by limited sample size, complex confounding factors, and inconsistent research results. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, the aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the risk factors for residual back pain after surgery through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in CNKI, VIP, WanFang, CBMdisc, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science for case-control studies on residual back pain after vertebral body augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures from database inception to July 2024. The search terms were a combination of subject terms and free terms. The basic information, patient characteristics, surgical-related indicators, and risk factors for surgical back pain of the included studies were extracted. After evaluating the bias risk of all included studies, a meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0 software on the relevant indicators.
RESULTS: (1) 21 case-control studies with a total of 8 043 patients were included. Among them, 965 patients developed back pain. The quality score of all 21 studies was ≥7. (2) The meta-analysis results showed that age (WMD=0.98, 95%CI: 0.40-1.56, P=0.010), bone mineral density (WMD=-0.28, 95%CI:-0.34 to -0.21, P=0.000), the number of vertebral fractures (OR=3.50, 95%CI:2.65-4.62, P=0.000), thoracolumbar fracture index (OR=3.65, 95%CI:2.61-5.11, P=0.000), cement volume (OR=6.89, 95%CI:2.62-18.17, P=0.000), and cement distribution (OR=2.38, 95%CI:1.93-2.93, P=0.000) were risk factors for the development of back pain after vertebral body augmentation in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
CONCLUSION: Current evidence indicates that age, bone mineral density, the number of vertebral fractures, thoracolumbar fracture index, bone cement injection volume, and the distribution of bone cement are risk factors for low back pain. Specifically, bone mineral density, the number of vertebral fractures, thoracolumbar fracture index, and non-uniform distribution of bone cement are identified as independent risk factors for low back pain. Patients exhibiting these high-risk factors require vigilant monitoring and prompt intervention to mitigate the occurrence of clinical low back pain, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life. 

Key words: osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, vertebral augmentation, residual back pain, risk factors, meta-analysis, engineered tissue construction

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