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Rates of detection, medication for osteoporosis improved after education intervention
Aghamirsalim M. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2012;doi:10.1007/s00402-012-1569-5.
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After orthopedic surgeons participated in an intervention program, detection and medication rates for osteoporosis increased more than tenfold in patients with fragility fractures, according to recent study results.
Seventy-two orthopedic surgeons participated in a prospective, observational study to evaluate the effectiveness of an osteoporosis guideline on the management of patients with fragility fractures between June 2008 and December 2011. Researchers evaluated existing practice patterns, performed an educational intervention in which orthopedic surgeons attended five educational sessions and were provided with posters and brochures, and evaluated the effect of the training.
The researchers used medical records to collect data on anti-osteoporosis medication usage, dual X-ray absorptiometry scans and osteoporosis follow-ups in 511 patients with fragility fractures. Study results showed the rate of diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with fragility fractures was 8% at the time of discharge before the educational intervention. After the educational intervention, the rate of calcium and vitamin D prescriptions increased from 10% to 91%, and the rate of bisphosphonate administration increased from 0.1% to 73%.
Despite more than [a] tenfold increase in osteoporosis management observed between 2008 and 2011, additional intervention studies are required to achieve further improvement in osteoporosis treatment rates after fragility fractures,” the researchers wrote in their study.
Disclosure:The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.