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Objective: Asymptomatic vertebral fractures (VFx) are a common consequence of osteoporosis and are regarded as one of the classical osteoporotic fractures. The prevalence of VFx has not been previously studied in a Malaysian population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of VFx in a healthy, urban, Malaysian population.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of the population aged between 44-90 y from 3 residential areas in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, was invited to participate through brochures with details of the research project that were distributed house to house by hand, via posters in the areas’ community centres and via post, to attend for a free bone health checkup. Subjects with diseases known to affect bone metabolism, had a history of spinal fracture, or were on treatment for osteoporosis were excluded. All subjects had a lateral lumbar spine x-ray and their BMD …