Trends in osteoporosis medication use in US postmenopausal women: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 through 2017-2018.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine trends in the use of osteoporosis medications in postmenopausal women between 1999-2000 and 2017-2018. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were analyzed to describe trends in the use of osteoporosis medications in US women 50 years and older. Joinpoint regression software was used to detect points at which significant changes in the direction and magnitude of the trends occurred over time. Logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were assembled to determine the independent association between time period (2007-2008 vs 2017-2018) and osteoporosis medication use. Of 13,826 postmenopausal women, about 7% reported taking osteoporosis medications. Joinpoint regression demonstrated that the prevalence of women taking osteoporosis medications significantly decreased by -23.3% on average (95% confidence interval [CI], -23.3% to -37.7%) per survey cycle between 2007-2008 and 2017-2018. Similarly, bisphosphonate use decreased by -22.6% on average (95% CI, -38.8% to -2.1%) from 2007 to 2008 onward. Logistic regression demonstrated that, after adjustment for potential confounders including bone mineral density and self-reported hip or spine fractures, postmenopausal women were 61% and 56% less likely to use any osteoporosis medications and bisphosphonates in 2017 to 2018 compared with their counterparts in 2007 to 2008, respectively. The use of osteoporosis medications in postmenopausal US women has significantly decreased since 2007 to 2008 onward. This finding was mostly attributed to a low prescription rate of bisphosphonate drugs. Moreover, the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was suboptimal and decreased over time.