Medical management of patients over 50 years admitted to orthopedic surgery for low-energy fracture.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a cost-effective strategy for improving osteoporosis management in patients admitted to an orthopedic surgery department for low-energy fractures.

METHODS

From November 2003 to July 2004, all patients over 50 years admitted to the orthopedics department of the Caen Teaching Hospital (France) for low-energy fractures were identified and evaluated by rheumatology department physicians in the same hospital.

RESULTS

During the study period, 313 patients were identified, 257 women (mean age, 79.5+/-10.2 years) and 56 men (mean age, 74.6+/-10.8 years), each with one fracture (proximal femur, 58.9%; wrist, 13%). Among them, 91 (29%) had a previous history of osteoporotic fractures. Mean bone mineral density (BMD) values were lower at the femoral neck than at the total hip or lumbar spine (e.g. in women, -2.3+/-0.9 versus -1.8+/-1.0 and -1.4+/-1.7, respectively). Osteoporosis treatment was given to 88 (28%) patients and consisted of calcium and vitamin D supplements, combined with alendronate in 32 patients. Complete loss of self-sufficiency occurred in 73 patients. Thus, 161 patients (88 with osteoporosis treatment and 73 with loss of self-sufficiency) received optimal treatment.

CONCLUSION

Cooperation between the orthopedics and rheumatology departments improved the management of osteoporosis in patients with low-energy fractures. However, appropriate investigation and treatment of osteoporosis proved difficult in the oldest old and in patients with cognitive impairments.