Association between platelet to lymphocyte ratio and the risk of vertebral fracture in patients with osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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By
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March 25, 2026
Objective:
To evaluate the association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and vertebral fracture risk in osteoporosis patients, highlighting its potential clinical significance.
Key Findings:
- Higher vertebral fracture risk in high-PLR groups (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03; P = 0.01) based on seven observational studies.
- Significantly higher PLR levels in the fracture group compared to the non-fracture group (SMD: 1.78; 95% CI: 0.32, 3.25; P = 0.02).
- No significant publication bias detected.
Interpretation:
Elevated PLR is associated with increased vertebral fracture risk in osteoporosis patients, indicating its potential as a predictive inflammatory biomarker with implications for clinical practice.
Limitations:
- Heterogeneity in study designs.
- Instability in outcomes.
- Need for standardized PLR cut-off and larger multinational cohorts.
- Potential biases inherent in observational studies.
Conclusion:
Elevated PLR may serve as a predictive biomarker for vertebral fractures in osteoporosis, but further validation is required to confirm its clinical utility.
