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Purpose: Postvertebral augmentation vertebral compression fractures are common; repeated vertebral augmentation is usually performed for prompt pain relief. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of repeat vertebral augmentation. Methods: We performed a retrospective, nationwide, population-based longitudinal observation study, using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. All patients who received vertebral augmentation for vertebral compression fractures were evaluated. The collected data included patient characteristics (demographics, comorbidities, and medication exposure) and repeat vertebral augmentation. Kaplan-Meier and stratified Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed for analyses. Results: The overall incidence of repeat vertebral augmentation was 11.3% during the follow-up until 2010. Patients with the following characteristics were at greater risk for repeat vertebral augmentation: female sex (AOR=1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-2.36), advanced age (AOR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.32-2.08), diabetes mellitus (AOR=4.31; 95% CI: 4.05-5.88), cerebrovascular disease (AOR=4.09; 95% CI: 3.44-5.76), dementia (AOR=1.97; 95% CI: 1.69-2.33), blindness or low vision (AOR=3.72; 95% CI: 2.32-3.95), hypertension (AOR=2.58; 95% CI: 2.35-3.47), and hyperlipidemia (AOR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.67-2.22). Patients taking calcium/vitamin D (AOR=2.98; 95% CI: 1.83-3.93), bisphosphonates (AOR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.26-2.61), or calcitonin (AOR=4.59; 95% CI: 3.40-5.77) were less likely to undergo repeat vertebral augmentation; however, those taking steroids (AOR=7.28; 95% CI: 6.32-8.08), acetaminophen (AOR=3.54; 95% CI: 2.75-4.83), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (AOR=6.14; 95% CI: 5.08-7.41) were more likely to undergo repeat vertebral augmentation. Conclusion: We conclude that the incidence of repeat vertebral augmentation is rather high. An understanding of risk factors predicting repeat vertebral augmentation provides valuable basis to improve health care for geriatric populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Repeated vertebral augmentation for new vertebral compression fractures of postvertebral augmentation patients: a nationwide cohort study" by C. L. Liang and colleagues in the previous issue.

A response from the author of the article "Repeated vertebral augmentation for new vertebral compression fractures of postvertebral augmentation patients: a nationwide cohort study" in the 2015 issue is presented.