What is a reasonable rate for specific osteoporosis drug therapy in older fragility fracture patients?

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is the most common condition contributing to 95% of fractures in older patients hospitalized for fracture treatment. Despite the significant impact of fragility fractures on patient morbidity and mortality, efforts in optimizing osteoporotic treatment and prevention remain inadequate. In contrast, in patients with limited life expectancy, withholding specific osteoporosis drug treatment appears reasonable. The threshold between under- and overtreatment is still unclear.

METHODS

In 2016, we implemented a fracture liaison service (FLS) for 18 months to improve the quality of osteoporosis care. We collected prospectively the patient's history, current treatment for osteoporosis, and risk factors for fragility fractures using a standardized protocol. Recommendations for drug therapy are discussed during the interdisciplinary ward round. The primary outcome parameter was a recommendation for specific osteoporosis drug treatment. We included 681 patients (mean age 82.5 years, 502 (73.7%) females). The inclusion criteria were the following: age of 70 years or older, admission to geriatric fracture center between April 2016 and December 2018.

RESULTS

Based on our data, specific osteoporosis drug therapy was recommended in 467 (68.6%) patients. Six hundred fifty-one (95.6%) patients received vitamin D3, and 546 (80.2%) calcium. After adjustment, only age (every 5 years, OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.45-0.72; p < 0.0001), cognitive impairment (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.23-0.74; p = 0.003), pre-fracture mobility (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.34-1.75; p < 0.0001), and living in a nursing home (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.27-0.99; p = 0.049) remained as independent predictors for an indication of specific osteoporosis drug therapy.

CONCLUSION

We found a higher rate of recommendations for specific osteoporosis drug therapy compared with usual treatment rates in literature. Though in some cases withholding of specific osteoporosis drug therapy seems reasonable, the main proportion of fragility fracture patients is undertreated. Our results could be a benchmark for the quality of osteoporosis care in older fragility fracture patients treated in a geriatric fracture center.