Introduction

Letter of Information and Consent to Participate in a Survey

You have been invited by the EANS Spine Section to participate to an international survey. We kindly ask that you read the following information letter, which will provide you with an introduction to the study. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Background
Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) result from low bone strength and are the most common type of fragility fractures. They can cause chronic pain and are a strong indicator of frailty. Those who have suffered from an OVF are at higher risk of having a fractured neck of the femur within a year. Additionally, there is a 20% chance that they may suffer from another vertebral fracture. (1) Osteoporosis is prevalent in postmenopausal women and can lead to nontraumatic thoracolumbar fractures or contribute to traumatic fractures. (2) The incidence of osteoporosis among the elderly population is constantly increasing, with ten million people in the USA and 27.6 million in Europe currently affected by this condition. (3)

The management of OVFs is challenging due to patient factors such as age, comorbidities, multipharmacy, reduced functional reserves, and often cognitive impairment. Different therapeutic options are available, including surgical and non-surgical treatments, and the indications for each can vary a lot between centers and countries. (4) It is of utmost importance to understand the pathophysiology and management of OVFs, as they can result in significant morbidity and potential mortality. With a growing elderly population, the incidence of these fractures is increasing, making it a significant healthcare issue. (5)

Purpose
As spine surgeons, we frequently encounter OVFs and must advise patients on the best course of treatment. To better share management information and identify common practices, we have created a survey with short case illustrations. We appreciate your participation in this survey to help shed more light on the appropriate management of these patients.

Description
As part of this survey, you will be asked to share your management preferences and surgical techniques to treat OVFs. You will also be presented with sample cases featuring X-rays, CT scans, and MRI, and asked to provide details of your typical management strategy.

Privacy and Confidentiality
The study results will be based on a collective analysis of information from multiple individuals, which will not allow any individual to be identified. The data provided by you may be used in a research publication. However, any responses, records, or personal information that could be directly linked to you will not be reported to maintain complete privacy and confidentiality.

Letter of Information and Consent to Participate in a Survey
You are not obliged to participate in this research study if you are not interested, and you can withdraw from the study at any given time. You can choose not to answer any questions that you are not comfortable with or questions that are irrelevant to you. You have the option to leave or quit the online portal whenever you want. In case you decide to withdraw from the research study before completion, any data collected up to that point will still be used in the analysis of the study.

Study Contact
For any further information, please contact Dr. Lucio de Maria at the following address: luciodemaria@gmail.com

Authors and Affiliations
Prof. Enrico Tessitore, Dr. Lucio De Maria (Switzerland)
EANS Section of Spinal Neurosurgery

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