Practice of Family Physicians in the Management of Osteoporosis Among Older Female Patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Siham M Alanazi,Amani A Alkhamali,Mohammed A Alateeq

doi:10.7759/cureus.22387

Abstract

BackgroundOsteoporosis is one of the major worldwide health concerns and carries medical, social, and financial impacts due to its significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the practice of family physicians in osteoporosis management in older female patients.MethodThis study was performed in a cross-sectional manner. Data, including patient and disease characteristics and management practices, were obtained from the electronic patient chart for female patients aged 60 years and older who were followed in family medicine clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. Management was checked and evaluated against osteoporosis management guidelines.ResultsIn 42 patients out of 250, an osteoporosis diagnosis was missed. Among the 208 charts that were reviewed, the mean patient age was 72.06 years, and the mean duration of the disease according to the initial dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan was 3.68 years. Laboratory tests were performed for only about half of the patients. Vitamin D was given only to 54.3% while calcium supplements were given only to 53.4%. Almost one-third of the patients have not been prescribed any antiosteoporosis medications.ConclusionThe current study documented that older females with osteoporosis were not well-managed in the investigated family medicine settings. Continuous professional development activities and periodic practice reviews are suggested to improve this situation.

Highlights

Osteoporosis is “a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture” [1].Osteoporosis is one of the significant global health concerns with 200 million cases reported worldwide [2]
Among the 208 charts that were reviewed, the mean patient age was 72.06 years, and the mean duration of the disease according to the initial dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan was 3.68 years
A study done in the United States (US) reported that among primary care physicians, the rate of those who reported using bone turnover markers for screening, diagnoses, or monitoring osteoporosis in 1998 was only 19%; this rate tripled to 55% by 2006

Summary

Introduction

Osteoporosis is “a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture” [1]. Osteoporosis is one of the significant global health concerns with 200 million cases reported worldwide [2]. Osteoporosis is considered the most important health issue in developed countries [3] associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality with marked social and financial impact [4]. Osteoporosis is one of the major worldwide health concerns and carries medical, social, and financial impacts due to its significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the practice of family physicians in osteoporosis management in older female patients

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion