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Patterns of treatment in Australian men following fracture

journal contribution
posted on 2011-01-01, 00:00 authored by Renee OtmarRenee Otmar, Margaret Rogers, Mark KotowiczMark Kotowicz, G Nicholson, S Korn, Julie PascoJulie Pasco
Summary This study aimed to describe treatment initiation rates for men who had recently sustained a fracture. Most (75.9%) men potentially eligible for subsidised treatment at the time of fracture remained untreated even after a subsequent fracture.

Introduction This study aimed to describe treatment initiation rates for men who had recently sustained a fracture.

Methods The study was conducted as part of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study in south-eastern Australia. Men in the study area who had sustained an incident fracture in the period July 2006 to December 2007 were identified from hospital radiology reports. A self-report questionnaire was sent to eligible participants approximately 12 months after fracture. Respondents were asked for details of medications prescribed for ‘osteoporosis/fracture/low bone mass’ before and after fracture, and where applicable, reasons for cessation of treatment.We analysed the results for 109 men aged 50 years and older who had sustained fracture in the study period.

Results Most (75.9%) men potentially eligible for subsidised treatment at the time of fracture remained untreated. Of the 87 men who were untreated, nine had osteoporosis at the hip and/or spine and 29 (26.6%) reported having sustained a low trauma prior fracture.

Conclusions Our findings are consistent with previously published data showing low rates of treatment initiation in men eligible for osteoporosis treatment. There appear to be barriers involving participants’ and medical practitioners’ knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding osteoporosis and treatment, as well as in the doctor–patient partnership in osteoporosis management. Establishment of clinical pathways for fracture management beyond orthopaedic care may be one of a range of appropriate responses.

History

Journal

Osteoporosis international

Volume

22

Issue

1

Pagination

249 - 254

Publisher

Springer U K

Location

Surrey, U. K.

ISSN

0937-941X

eISSN

1433-2965

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal; C Journal article

Copyright notice

2010, International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation

Related work

DU:30042980