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Diagnostic prediction models for spinal fractures in individuals with spinal pain or trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Feller D, Wingbermuhle R, Oei EHG, Koes BW, Chiarotto A

EClinicalMedicine 2025 Oct;88:103456

systematic review

BACKGROUND: Multivariable diagnostic models are often used to identify spinal fractures in patients with spinal pain and/or trauma. However, their performance and clinical utility remain uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the performance of diagnostic models for detecting spinal fractures in individuals with spinal pain and/or trauma. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science on April 15, 2024 and May 27, 2024 for relevant work published since database inception. The first search included only studies on spinal pain and the second additionally included spinal trauma studies, following a protocol adjustment during screening. A search update was performed on May 19, 2025. An expert librarian assisted in developing the search strategy, which was limited to work published in English, Italian, and Dutch. We also performed backward and forward citation tracking. We included studies that developed and/or externally validated multivariable diagnostic prediction models for spinal fractures. Two independent reviewers screened studies for eligibility, extracted data using the CHARMS checklist, and assessed the risk of bias using the PROBAST. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42024539898. FINDINGS: We included 27 studies encompassing 34 diagnostic models. All models showed an overall high risk of bias, while the concerns about their applicability varied due to the frequent use of spinal injuries as the outcome instead of explicitly addressing spinal fractures. Meta-analyses of ten studies that externally validated the Canadian C-spine Rule in adults presenting with trauma to emergency departments or trauma centres demonstrated, with very low certainty of the evidence, excellent sensitivity (0.999; 95% CI 0.976 to 1), an high area under the curve (0.850; 95% CI 0.720 to 0.970), and a low specificity (0.188; 95% CI 0.063 to 0.443). We estimated a pooled non-statistically significant positive likelihood ratio of 1.230 (95% CI 0.978 to 1.548) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.007 (95% CI 0.001 to 0.082) for the same model. Other models for traumatic cervical fractures and osteoporotic fractures showed promise but lacked external validation or sufficient reporting on calibration and discrimination measures (with low to very low certainty of the evidence). No models for thoracolumbar fractures were deemed ready to be used clinically. INTERPRETATION: Although the Canadian C-spine Rule shows potential for screening traumatic cervical fractures, the very low to low certainty of the evidence limits confidence in its accuracy and appropriateness for clinical use. We did not identify any externally validated models suitable for clinical use regarding osteoporotic or traumatic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine, and traumatic fractures of the cervical spine in non-emergency settings. Future research with rigorous methodological and statistical approaches should aim to fill these knowledge gaps. FUNDING: None.

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