Patterns of Pharmacological Treatment for Osteoporosis Among Patients Qualified for Pharmacotherapy According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation Guidelines.

BACKGROUND

Whereas the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) guidelines suggest pharmacological treatment for patients at high risk of fractures, little is known about the prevalence of osteoporosis treatment among those who met the NOF criteria for pharmacotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis treatment among patients who met the NOF criteria and to assess factors associated with pharmacological treatment.

METHODS

The 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey served as the data source. Using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, the study included postmenopausal women and men 50 years or older who met the NOF treatment criteria. Andersen's Behavioral Model was used to select predisposing, enabling, and need factors that might predict osteoporosis treatment. A logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with osteoporosis treatment.

RESULTS

An estimated 16 million individuals qualified for osteoporosis treatment according to the NOF guidelines. Only 24% of them received pharmacological treatment, and 89% of the patients receiving treatment were women. Only 6% to 12% of men who were at high risk of osteoporosis or fracture received pharmacotherapy. Older age, long-term corticosteroid use, history of fractures, and T-score ≤-2.5 were associated with increased odds of osteoporosis treatment, whereas male gender and lack of a usual source of health care were associated with decreased odds of osteoporosis treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Less than one-fourth of the population who should be considered for pharmacotherapy received osteoporosis treatment. Clinicians should be more aware of the unmet need for medication treatment for osteoporosis.