Factors Associated With Nonattendance for Osteoporosis Evaluation Following Fragility Fracture.

This study assessed patient demographic factors associated with nonattendance for osteoporosis evaluation after being referred to our Bone Health Clinic (BHC), a hospital-based outpatient Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), for a fragility fracture. 507 patients sustaining a fragility fracture were referred to the BHC over a 39-month period. Retrospective chart review was conducted to capture osteoporosis evaluation attendance rates and demographic factors (age, gender, race, area deprivation index, insurance type, and fracture type). A post-fracture follow-up visit with either the BHC or another provider in which osteoporosis was noted in the assessment was considered attendance for osteoporosis evaluation. Nonattendance was determined at a cutoff of one year after the fracture date. Of the 507 patients referred to the BHC following a fragility fracture, 177 patients attended osteoporosis evaluation with either the BHC or a primary care provider. Nonattendance was associated with older age (=0.0075), having private health insurance (=0.0434), and recent hip fracture ( < 0.0001). Attendance was associated with having government health insurance (=0.0103). Inpatient evaluation and treatment for osteoporosis should be considered in patients who are older or have sustained a hip fracture as they may have more difficulty attending post-fracture appointments.