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Osteoporosis International

Published in:

01-01-2008 | Original Article

The care gap in diagnosis and treatment of women with a fragility fracture

Authors: L. Bessette, L.-G. Ste-Marie, S. Jean, K. S. Davison, M. Beaulieu, M. Baranci, J. Bessant, J. P. Brown

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 1/2008

Abstract

Summary

In women aged 50 years or more who experienced a fracture, 81% suffered a fragility fracture. Six to eight months after fragility fracture, 79% had either not been investigated for osteoporosis or prescribed anti-fracture therapy. Despite fragility fractures being common in this population osteoporosis is under-diagnosed and under-treated.

Introduction

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and treatment rates for osteoporosis six months following fragility fracture.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was set in the general community from the Province of Quebec, Canada. Women at least 50 years of age who suffered a fracture were recruited during their initial visit to the hospital and had their fracture type classified as either fragility or traumatic. Six-to-eight months after fragility fracture, women were again contacted to evaluate the diagnostic and treatment rates of osteoporosis.

Results

Of the 2,075 women recruited over a 25 month period 1688 (81%) sustained a fragility fracture and 387 (19%) sustained a traumatic fracture. Nine hundred and three participants with a fragility fracture were again contacted six-to-eight months after fracture. For the 739 women not on treatment on the recruitment day, only 15.4% initiated pharmacological therapy in the six-to-eight-month period following fracture and 79.0% had either not been investigated for osteoporosis or prescribed anti-fracture treatment.

Conclusions

The proportion of fragility fractures to total fractures is higher than previously reported. Despite the availability of diagnostic modalities, effective treatments, and adequate health care assessments, there is a substantial care gap in the management of osteoporosis.

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Title: The care gap in diagnosis and treatment of women with a fragility fracture
Authors: L. Bessette
L.-G. Ste-Marie
S. Jean
K. S. Davison
M. Beaulieu
M. Baranci
J. Bessant
J. P. Brown
Publication date: 01-01-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Osteoporosis International / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0426-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The care gap in diagnosis and treatment of women with a fragility fracture

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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