Received Osteoporosis Medication Research Articles

Prospective Association Between the Dispensing of Antidepressants and of Medications to Treat Osteoporosis in Older Age

Osteoporosis is a common condition associated with fragility fractures, especially in older individuals and women. Antidepressants have emerged as a potential risk factor, but their association with bone fragility remains uncertain because the results of past studies are difficult to generalize. We aimed to investigate the association between antidepressant exposure and subsequent treatment for osteoporosis in a nationally representative sample of Australians. Cohort study using a 10% random sample of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data for 2012, that included 566,707 individuals aged older than or equal to 50 years not dispensed osteoporosis medications. The effect of exposure to antidepressants during 2012 (prevalent or incident) or later (up to 2022) was examined using Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities and other psychotropic medications. Over 10 years, 73,360 (12.94%) received osteoporosis medications; 16,216 (22.10%) had been dispensed antidepressants in 2012. The hazard of osteoporosis medication dispensing was higher among those exposed to antidepressants (HR = 1.16, 99% CI = 1.14-1.18; average duration of follow up: 8.0 ± 3.1 years, range: 1-10 years). The hazard of osteoporosis medication diminished with increasing age, and the effect of antidepressants was 37%-76% more pronounced among men in the 50s and 60s. Different classes of antidepressants had a similar risk profile. The dispensing of antidepressants in older age is associated with higher hazard of subsequent dispensing of medications for osteoporosis, and this association is more marked for young older adults, particularly men. Clinicians should monitor the bone health of older individuals treated with antidepressants in order to decrease the morbidity associated with fragility fractures.

FRI690 Should Treatment For Osteoporosis Be Started In Patients With Primary Hyperparathyroidism Within The First Year After Parathyroidectomy?

Abstract Disclosure: K. Swe: None. A. Chiu: None. E. Pelley: None. Osteoporosis is one of the indications for parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Studies show the improvement of bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine and hip within the first year after parathyroidectomy. Therefore, the decision to treat osteoporosis has usually been delayed until a follow-up bone densitometry scan (DXA) at least one year after parathyroidectomy. To study the BMD changes with or without osteoporosis treatment till first follow-up DXA after parathyroidectomy, we retrospectively reviewed a prospective database of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism between 2010 to 2017 at our institution. We included both male and female patients between the ages 50 to 80, with a history of fragility fracture and/ or T score less than -2.4, and normal renal function. We excluded patients with persistent hyperparathyroidism post-surgery, osteoporosis medication within 3 years before surgery, and DXA performed outside of our facility. Patients who received osteoporosis medication between surgery and the first follow-up DXA were compared to those who underwent surgery alone. We compared the changes in BMD at the total hip and lumbar spine (L1-L4) between baseline and the first follow-up DXA for the two groups. Data was evaluated using a student’s t-test. A total of 386 patients underwent parathyroidectomy during the study period of which 92 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 28 patients were treated after surgery and 64 patients had parathyroidectomy alone. The mean duration to treatment initiation after surgery was approximately 4 months (SD +/- 3 months), and the mean duration until the first follow-up DXA after the surgery was 17 months (SD +/- 8 months). There was no difference in the change of BMD at the total hip between two groups. Both increased by 0.01 g/cm2 (p=0.74). However, there was a greater increase in BMD at the lumber spine for those treated (0.047 g/cm2 increase) compared to surgery alone (0.019 g/cm2 increase) (p=0.02). We concluded that initiation of osteoporosis treatment within the first year after parathyroidectomy led to similar BMD outcomes at the total hip, but the treatment group experienced greater gains in BMD at the lumbar spine compared to parathyroidectomy alone, in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Economic and Humanistic Burden Among Medicare-Aged Women With Fragility Fracture in the United States.

Describe patient characteristics, health care resource utilization, costs, and humanistic burden of women with Medicare insurance with incident fragility fracture who were admitted to post-acute-care (PAC). Retrospective cohort study using 100% Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) data. Community-dwelling female Medicare beneficiaries with incident fragility fracture January 1, 2017, to October 17, 2019, resulting in PAC admission to a skilled nursing facility (SNF), home-health care, inpatient-rehabilitation facility, or long-term acute-care hospital. Patient demographic/clinical characteristics were measured during 1-year baseline. Resource utilization and costs were measured during baseline, PAC event, and PAC follow-up. Humanistic burden was measured among SNF patients with linked Minimum Data Set assessments. Multivariable regression examined predictors of PAC costs after discharge and changes in functional status during SNF stay. A total of 388,732 patients were included. Compared with baseline, hospitalization rates were 3.5, 2.4, 2.6, and 3.1 times higher and total costs 2.7, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.6 times higher for SNF, home-health, inpatient-rehabilitation, and long-term acute-care, respectively, following PAC discharge. Utilization of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and osteoporosis medications remained low: 8.5% to 13.7% received DXA during baseline vs 5.2% to 15.6% following PAC; 10.2% to 12.0% received osteoporosis medication during baseline vs 11.4% to 22.3% following PAC. Dual eligibility for Medicaid (ie, low income) was associated with 12% higher costs; Black patients had 14% higher costs. Activities of daily living scores improved 3.5 points during SNF stay, but Black patients had 1.22-point lower improvement than White patients. Pain intensity scores showed small improvement (-0.8 points). Women admitted to PAC with incident fracture had high humanistic burden with little improvement in pain and functional status and significantly higher economic burden after discharge compared with baseline. Disparities in outcomes related to social risk factors were observed, with consistently low utilization of DXA and osteoporosis medications even after fracture. Results indicate a need for improved early diagnosis and aggressive disease management to prevent and treat fragility fractures.

Secondary fracture prevention with osteoporosis medication after a fragility fracture in Sweden remains low despite new guidelines

SummaryThis national register study investigated osteoporosis medication prescriptions for secondary fracture prevention among older Swedish adults. Although prescription proportions are increasing for both men and women, they remain low, especially among individuals aged 90 and older. Improved Fracture Liaison Services could increase the prescription proportions and should be bolstered.PurposeDespite clear guidelines for secondary fracture prevention among older adults, it seems undertreatment persists. We aimed to describe secondary fracture prevention with medical osteoporosis treatment in the older Swedish population. Specifically, how prescription has changed over time and if these patterns differ in sociodemographic subgroups.MethodsBetween 2007 and 2020, osteoporosis medication use was studied among all Swedish residents aged 70 and older who had a fragility fracture in the previous 5 years. Previous fragility fractures were defined as fractures of the humerus, wrist, hip, or vertebrae. Osteoporosis medication was defined as any prescription of bone-enhancing medications (including bisphosphonates and denosumab).ResultsOsteoporosis medication increased over the study period, especially among men. Prescription among individuals 90 + was consistently two- to threefold lower compared to 70–79- and 80–89-year-olds. In 2018–2020, 8–17% of women and 5–9% of men, depending on age, received osteoporosis medication. At the beginning of the study period, women with higher education were more likely to be prescribed osteoporosis medication, though this difference decreased over time. Prescription of vitamin D and/or calcium as the only treatment was more common than osteoporosis medications throughout the study period.ConclusionDespite increasing prescription proportions, medical treatment for secondary fracture prevention remains low. In addition, it is more common to be prescribed vitamin D or calcium than osteoporosis medication after a fragility fracture, contrary to current guidelines. These results indicate that there is room for improvement for Fracture Liaison Services in Sweden.

The association between multimorbidity and osteoporosis investigation and treatment in high-risk fracture patients in Australia: A prospective cohort study.

Multimorbidity is common among fracture patients. However, its association with osteoporosis investigation and treatment to prevent future fractures is unclear. This limited knowledge impedes optimal patient care. This study investigated the association between multimorbidity and osteoporosis investigation and treatment in persons at high risk following an osteoporotic fracture. The Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study is a prospective population-based cohort of 267,153 people in New South Wales, Australia, recruited between 2005 and 2009. This analysis followed up participants until 2017 for a median of 6 years (IQR: 4 to 8). Questionnaire data were linked to hospital admissions (Admitted Patients Data Collection (APDC)), emergency presentations (Emergency Department Data Collection (EDDC)), Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Data were linked by the Centre for Health Record Linkage and stored in a secured computing environment. Fractures were identified from APDC and EDDC, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) from APDC, Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) investigation from MBS, and osteoporosis treatment from PBS. Out of 25,280 persons with index fracture, 10,540 were classified as high-risk based on 10-year Garvan Fracture Risk (age, sex, weight, prior fracture and falls) threshold ≥20%. The association of CCI with likelihood of investigation and treatment initiation was determined by logistic regression adjusted for education, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors). The high-risk females and males averaged 77 ± 10 and 86 ± 5 years, respectively; >40% had a CCI ≥2. Only 17% of females and 7% of males received a DXA referral, and 22% of females and 14% males received osteoporosis medication following fracture. A higher CCI was associated with a lower probability of being investigated [adjusted OR, females: 0.73 (95% CI, 0.61 to 0.87) and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.30 to 0.62); males: 0.47 (95% CI, 0.33 to 0.68) and 0.52 (0.31 to 0.85) for CCI: 2 to 3, and ≥4 versus 0 to 1, respectively] and of receiving osteoporosis medication [adjusted OR, females: 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.61 to 0.99); males: 0.75 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.94) and 0.37 (95% CI, 0.23 to 0.53) for CCI: 2 to 3, and ≥4 versus 0 to 1, respectively]. The cohort is relatively healthy; therefore, the impact of multimorbidity on osteoporosis management may have been underestimated. Multimorbidity contributed significantly to osteoporosis treatment gap. This suggests that fracture risk is either underestimated or underprioritized in the context of multimorbidity and highlights the need for extra vigilance and improved fracture care in this setting.

Prevalence and treatment of fragility fractures in Spanish primary care: PREFRAOS study

SummaryIn Spanish primary care (PC), the prevalence of fragility fractures (FF) in subjects ≥ 70 years old is high, especially in women. One-third of subjects with an FF lacked osteoporosis (OP) diagnosis and >50% were not currently receiving OP medication. An improvement of the FF management in this population is needed.PurposeIn Spanish PC, the prevalence of FF is high, especially in women. One-third of subjects with a FF lacked an OP diagnosis and more than half were not currently receiving OP medication. Several studies reported underdiagnosis/undertreatment of OP in PC among elderly subjects with FF. To date, no such data exist for Spain. The purpose is to estimate the prevalence of FF in the elderly population (≥ 70 years old) and to describe the characteristics, risk factors, comorbidities, and OP diagnosis and treatment rates of subjects with FF in Spanish PC centers.MethodsThis is an observational, retrospective study in Spain consisting of two phases. Phase A included all subjects ≥ 70 years old listed in the center’s medical records from November 2018 to March 2020. Phase B included subjects with FF and prior consultation at the center for any reason. Subjects were excluded only if they had previously participated in another study. Primary outcomes were prevalence of FF (phase A) and characteristics of subjects with at least one FF (phase B).ResultsThe overall prevalence of FF was 17.7% among subjects visiting medical centers for any reason (24.1% women vs. 8.0% men) (30 PC centers from 14 Spanish regions). Vertebral (5.1%) was the most prevalent fracture. Of 665 subjects in phase B, most (87%) were women and ≥ 80 years old (57%), suffered mainly major OP fracture (68%), and had multiple comorbidities (≥ 2, 89.2%). While two-thirds had OP diagnosis and 61.1% received OP medication anytime in the past, 56.8% were not currently receiving OP medication. Diagnosis and treatment rates were lower among men (43% and 38% vs. 70% and 65%, respectively).ConclusionPrevalence of FF was high, especially in women. One-third of subjects lacked OP diagnosis and ≥ 50% were not receiving OP treatment; diagnosis and treatment gaps were larger among men. This reinforces the need to improve the management of FF in the elderly population. However, as PC centers participating in this study had high OP experience that have the potential to do better in terms of diagnosis and treatment, caution in the generalization of these data should be taken.

Effect of Bone Health Optimization on Osteoporosis Screening and Treatment Before Thoracolumbar Fusion

Objective:Osteoporosis is not rare in thoracolumbar spine fusion patients and may portend poorer surgical outcomes. Implementation of a bone health optimization (BHO) clinic improves osteoporosis screening and treatment in the total joint arthroplasty population. We hypothesize that preoperative osteoporosis is common, under-recognized, and undertreated in thoracolumbar fusion patients and that a BHO clinic will increase preoperative osteoporosis screening rates and pharmacologic osteoporosis treatment in this population.Methods:This retrospective case series includes adults older than 30 years who underwent elective thoracolumbar spine fusion at a single tertiary care center before and after creation of a BHO referral clinic. Data collected included preoperative osteoporosis risk factors, prior dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry testing, and prior osteoporosis pharmacotherapy. Fracture risk was estimated using the fracture risk assessment tool with and without bone mineral density (BMD), and the US National Osteoporosis Foundation criteria for screening and treatment were applied.Results:Ninety patients were included in the pre-BHO group; 53 patients met criteria for BMD measurement, but only 10 were tested within 2 years preoperatively. Sixteen patients (18%) met criteria for osteoporosis pharmacotherapy, but only 5 of the 16 (31%) received osteoporosis medication within 6 months of surgery. There were 87 patients in the post-BHO group, and 19 were referred to the BHO clinic. BMD measurement was done in 17 of the patients (89%) referred to the BHO clinic compared with 10% for those not referred. All patients (n = 7) referred to the BHO clinic meeting treatment criteria received treatment within 6 months before surgery, whereas only 25% of the patients not referred received treatment.Discussion:Osteoporosis is not rare in adults undergoing thoracolumbar spine fusion with ∼13% to 18% meeting criteria for pharmacotherapy. Preoperative BHO referral increases screening and treatment.

Orthogeriatric Multidisciplinary Co-Management Across Acute and Rehabilitation Care Improves Length of Stay, Functional Outcomes and Complications in Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients.

IntroductionAs the global number of geriatric hip fracture cases continues to proliferate, a newly developed orthogeriatric co-management multidisciplinary care model has been implemented since November 2018 to meet further increases in demand. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the new pathway in improving the clinical outcomes of fragility hip fractures.MethodsThe data of geriatric hip fracture patients from 1 April 2018 till 30 October 2018 was collected as the conventional orthopaedic care model (pre-orthogeriatric care model) to compare with data from the orthogeriatric co-management model, 1 Feb 2019 till 31 August 2019. Clinical outcomes were analyzed between the groups, with the efficiency of the programme reflected in the total length of stay in acute and convalescent hospitals.Results194 patients were recruited to the conventional group and 207 were recruited to the orthogeriatric group, 290 patients (72.3%) were female. The mean (SD) patient age was 84.2 (7.9) years. The median length of stay in the acute and rehabilitation hospitals decreased by 1 day and 2 days, respectively (P=.001). The orthogeriatric group was associated with a higher Modified Barthel Index score on discharge from the rehabilitation hospital and more patients in the orthogeriatric collaboration group received osteoporosis medication prescription within one year after the index fracture. There was no difference in the 28-days unplanned readmission rate, complication rate, mortality rate or Elderly Mobility Scale scores on discharge from the rehabilitation hospital between the two groups.ConclusionOrthogeriatric collaboration has been proven to be effective in terms of a decreased length of stay in both the acute and the rehabilitation hospitals.

Heavy clinical and economic burden of osteoporotic fracture among elderly female Medicare beneficiaries.

Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are stratified to high and very-high fracture risk categories, and this categorization drives algorithms for osteoporosis management in osteoporosis treatment guidelines. This study comprehensively describes a very-high-risk cohort. This retrospective cohort study used the Medicare 20% database; elderly women with an outpatient visit in 2011 and fracture within 2 years before the visit were included. Outcomes included fracture risk, all-cause and fracture-related healthcare resource utilization and cost, and osteoporosis medication use in the 5 years after the visit. Overall, 43,193 patients were included. The 5-year probability was 0.36 for major fracture and 0.11 and 0.17 for hip fracture and vertebral fracture, respectively, much higher than the guidelines' 10-year probability thresholds for very-high-risk (0.3 for major fracture, 0.045 for hip fracture). Rates of hospitalizations, emergency department visits or observation stays, and skilled nursing facility stays in year 1 were 53.7, 57.0, and 18.8 per 100 patient-years, respectively, decreasing slightly in subsequent years. Mean healthcare cost was $23,700 in year 1, decreasing to $18,500 in year 5. About 29.1% of patients received osteoporosis medications in year 1, decreasing to 16.9% by year 5. Rates for all outcomes, especially fractures, were much higher among vertebral and multiple fracture cohorts. Elderly women with a fracture within last 2 years were at very-high-risk for subsequent fracture and high healthcare utilization and cost, especially those with vertebral or multiple fractures. However, rates of fracture prevention treatments were low. More effort is needed to identify and treat patients at very-high-risk for fracture.

P60. Bone health optimization improves osteoporosis screening and treatment prior to thoracolumbar fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Osteoporosis is not rare in thoracolumbar spine fusion patients and may portend poorer surgical outcomes. Implementation of a bone health optimization (BHO) clinic improves osteoporosis screening and treatment in the total joint arthroplasty population. We hypothesize that preoperative osteoporosis is common, under-recognized and undertreated in thoracolumbar fusion patients and that a BHO clinic will increase preoperative osteoporosis screening rates and pharmacologic osteoporosis treatment in this population. PURPOSE The purpose of the study is to determine the proportion of patients receiving appropriate osteoporosis screening and treatment before and after initiation of a BHO clinic. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective case series. PATIENT SAMPLE Adults age 30+ who underwent elective thoracolumbar spine fusion at a single tertiary care center prior to and after creation of a BHO referral clinic OUTCOME MEASURES Osteoporosis screening rates (ie, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) testing). METHODS Preoperative osteoporosis risk factors, prior DXA testing, and prior osteoporosis pharmacotherapy were collected from the electronic medical record. Fracture risk was estimated using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) with and without bone mineral density (BMD) and the U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) criteria for screening and treatment were applied. RESULTS Ninety patients were included in the pre-BHO group; 53 met criteria for BMD measurement but only 10 were tested within two years preoperatively. Sixteen (18%) met criteria for osteoporosis pharmacotherapy but only 5 of the 16 (31%) received osteoporosis medication within six months of surgery. There were 87 patients in the postBHO group and 19 were referred to the BHO clinic. BMD measurement was performed in 17 (89%) of patients referred to BHO clinic compared to 10% for those not referred. All patients (n=7) referred to the BHO clinic meeting treatment criteria received treatment within 6 months before surgery, whereas only 25% of patients not referred received treatment. CONCLUSIONS Osteoporosis is not rare in adults undergoing thoracolumbar spine fusion with ∼13-18% meeting criteria for pharmacotherapy. Preoperative BHO referral increases screening and treatment. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs. Osteoporosis is not rare in thoracolumbar spine fusion patients and may portend poorer surgical outcomes. Implementation of a bone health optimization (BHO) clinic improves osteoporosis screening and treatment in the total joint arthroplasty population. We hypothesize that preoperative osteoporosis is common, under-recognized and undertreated in thoracolumbar fusion patients and that a BHO clinic will increase preoperative osteoporosis screening rates and pharmacologic osteoporosis treatment in this population. The purpose of the study is to determine the proportion of patients receiving appropriate osteoporosis screening and treatment before and after initiation of a BHO clinic. Retrospective case series. Adults age 30+ who underwent elective thoracolumbar spine fusion at a single tertiary care center prior to and after creation of a BHO referral clinic Osteoporosis screening rates (ie, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) testing). Preoperative osteoporosis risk factors, prior DXA testing, and prior osteoporosis pharmacotherapy were collected from the electronic medical record. Fracture risk was estimated using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) with and without bone mineral density (BMD) and the U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) criteria for screening and treatment were applied. Ninety patients were included in the pre-BHO group; 53 met criteria for BMD measurement but only 10 were tested within two years preoperatively. Sixteen (18%) met criteria for osteoporosis pharmacotherapy but only 5 of the 16 (31%) received osteoporosis medication within six months of surgery. There were 87 patients in the postBHO group and 19 were referred to the BHO clinic. BMD measurement was performed in 17 (89%) of patients referred to BHO clinic compared to 10% for those not referred. All patients (n=7) referred to the BHO clinic meeting treatment criteria received treatment within 6 months before surgery, whereas only 25% of patients not referred received treatment. Osteoporosis is not rare in adults undergoing thoracolumbar spine fusion with ∼13-18% meeting criteria for pharmacotherapy. Preoperative BHO referral increases screening and treatment.

The Impact of Glucose Tolerance States on Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Rate

It is generally acknowledged that fracture rate is higher in diabetic subjects than non-diabetic subjects. However, the impact of diabetes on bone is less clear due to contradictory results of bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture rate. To date, most of reports were based on the studies from relatively small sample sizes. To clarify the issues, we examined the fracture rates and BMD across a spectrum of glucose tolerance in a representative US population.The participants of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2005–2010 were used in this study. Among adult subjects (age≥20 years old) with reported BMI, we were able to define the states of glucose tolerance in 31,073 subjects cording to the diagnostic criteria based on HbA1c, fasting glucose, and/or 2-h post-changed glucose with established diabetes and using diabetes medications, into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT), and diabetes mellitus (DM). Those who received osteoporosis medications were excluded from BMD analysis. Fracture information was available in 15,547 subjects; validated hip BMD was available in 12,317 subjects; and validated lumbar spine BMD was available in 10,329 subjects. Fracture rates were compared among 3 groups of glucose tolerance states and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated in reference to the NGT group with sample weighting. BMD was compared among 3 groups of glucose tolerance with consideration of covariates.The reported osteoporosis diagnosed rate differed among 3 groups of glucose tolerances (3.99%, 5.77%, and 8.41%, P<0.001, for NGT, AGT, and DM respectively). Worsening states of glucose tolerance were associated increased fracture OR at Hip [AGT, 2.1770 (95% CI: 2.1732–2.1807) and DM, 2.7369 (95% CI: 2.7315–2.7423)], spine [AGT, 0.9924 (95% CI: 0.9912–0.9936); DM, 1.2405 (95% CI: 1.2387–1.2423)]. In contrast, a different trend was observed on the wrist fracture rate [AGT, 0.9556 (95% CI: 0.9551–0.9562); DM, 0.9053 (95% CI: 0.9045–0.9060)]. After adjustment for covariates, higher BMD was noted in AGT and DM when compared to NGT at total femur (NGT, 0.9760±0.0015 gm/cm2; AGT, 0.9853±0.0021 gm/cm2; DM 0.9847±0.0034 gm/cm2, mean±SE, P=0.001) and femoral neck (NGT, 0.8388±0.0015 gm/cm2; AGT, 0.8474±0.0020 gm/cm2; DM, 0.8496±0.0032 gm/cm2, P=0.0007) while no difference was found in lumbar spine BMD (NGT, 0.1.0441±0.0018 gm/cm2; AGT, 1.0406±0.0025 gm/cm2; DM, 1.0464±0.0041 gm/cm2, P=0.35).Our observed significant increased fracture risk at hip (OR: 2.7369) and lumbar spine (OR: 1.2405) in DM subjects when compared to NGT subjects. DM subjects had higher BMD at total femur and femoral neck than NGT subjects while no difference was noted at lumbar spine BMD when compared to NGT subjects. Further studies are required to explore the discrepancy between the increased fracture risk with higher BMDs in diabetes.

P0903EFFECTS OF OSTEOPOROSIS MEDICATIONS ON BONE FRACTURE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Abstract Background and Aims To evaluate the association of osteoporosis medications and outcomes of patients at risk of CKD. Method We included patients with stage 3-5 CKD from three Taipei Medical University-affiliated hospitals between January 1, 2011 and August 31, 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received osteoporosis medications (bisphosphonates, raloxifene, teriparatide, or denosumab) and then matched at a 1:1 ratio by using propensity scores. The outcomes of interest were bone fractures, cardiovascular (CV) events, and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazard regression models were applied to identify the risk factors. Results A total of 39128 patients with CKD were included. After propensity score matching, 763 patients were in the study and control groups, respectively. The mean age of patients was 71.9 ± 12.5 years, and 34.4% of patients were men. After a median follow-up of 2.9 years, the incidence rates of bone fracture, CV events, and all-cause mortality were 10.4%, 7.5%, and 7.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis results indicated that osteoporosis treatment was note associated with reduced risks of bone fracture (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.43–1.68; P = 0.65), CV events (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.56–1.20; P = 0.30), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.51–1.08; P = 0.12). Subgroup analysis demonstrated only patients with CKD stage 3 who received osteoporosis medications associated with better survival. Conclusion Osteoporosis medications did not reduce bone fractures, CV events or mortality in patients with CKD. Improved overall survival was observed in patients with CKD stage 3.

Mind the gap: Incidence of osteoporosis treatment after an osteoporotic fracture - results of the Austrian branch of the International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS).

Despite availability of effective treatment options proven to prevent osteoporotic fractures, a huge gap in osteoporosis treatment exists. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment rate after a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) in Austria, one of the 25 wealthiest countries worldwide. This analysis is based on the data of the International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS), a prospective observational study assessing data from patients who suffered a MOF. We stratified these patients by treatment status at time of fracture and compared treatment use following MOF by sex as well as by fracture sites at the time of the index fracture, and 4, 12, and 18 months thereafter. Descriptive statistics, t-tests for continuous variables and chi-squared tests for nominal variables, were performed to compare treatment groups. A total of 915 patients (78 % female) were recruited at 8 different trauma centers throughout Austria. At the time of fracture, 731 patients (80 %) did not receive osteoporosis treatment. In this group, follow-up analysis after 4, 12 and 18 months revealed a treatment rate of 18 %, 16 %, 15 % in women, and 8 %, 12 %, 10 % in men, respectively. In those who received osteoporosis medication at the time of fracture the treatment rate was 65 %, 54 % and 60 % in women, and comparable results in men. Only 1 in 10 men, and less than 2 in 10 women of those who did not receive osteoporosis treatment at the time of fracture were prescribed an adequate osteoporosis treatment. Thus, the vast majority of patients who sustained an osteoporotic fracture and thus were at imminent risk of receiving subsequent fractures did not receive an adequate treatment. There is a clear need for the implementation of coordinated, multi-disciplinary models of care for secondary fracture prevention.

Does Simultaneous Computed Tomography and Quantitative Computed Tomography Show Better Prescription Rate than Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry for Osteoporotic Hip Fracture?

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous computed tomography (CT) and quantitative CT (QCT) in patients with osteoporotic hip fracture (OHF) by analyzing the osteoporosis detection rate and physician prescription rate in comparison with those of conventional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).Materials and MethodsThis study included consecutive patients older than 65 years who underwent internal fixation or hip arthroplasty for OHF between February and May 2015. The patients were assigned to either the QCT (47 patients) or DXA group (51 patients). The patients in the QCT group underwent QCT with hip CT, whereas those in the DXA group underwent DXA after surgery, before discharge, or in the outpatient clinic. In both groups, the patients received osteoporosis medication according to their QCT or DXA results. The osteoporosis evaluation rate and prescription rate were determined at discharge, postoperative (PO) day 2, PO day 6, and PO week 12 during an outpatient clinic visit.ResultsThe osteoporosis evaluation rate at PO week 12 was 70.6% (36 of 51 patients) in the DXA group and 100% in the QCT group (P<0.01). The prescription rates of osteoporosis medication at discharge were 70.2% and 29.4% (P<0.001) and the cumulative prescription rates at PO week 12 were 87.2% and 60.8% (P=0.003) in the QCT and DXA groups, respectively.ConclusionSimultaneous CT and QCT significantly increased the evaluation and prescription rates in patients with OHF and may enable appropriate and consistent prescription of osteoporosis medication, which may eventually lead to patients' medication compliance.

Real-world Management of Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Treated with Denosumab: A Prospective Observational Study in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

IntroductionOsteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of fracture. In randomized controlled trials, denosumab has been shown to significantly reduce the fracture risk in women with osteoporosis. However, little is known about the real-world management of women who are prescribed denosumab.MethodsThis multicenter, prospective, observational real-world study in the Czech Republic and Slovakia evaluated the baseline characteristics and clinical management of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis prescribed denosumab for 24 months.ResultsA total of 600 women were included (300 in each country). In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, respectively, mean age at enrollment was 69.0 and 64.3 years, 67.7% and 30.0% of patients had a previous osteoporotic fracture, and 85.0% and 48.7% had previously received osteoporosis medication. In both countries, ‘low BMD T score’ and ‘a history of osteoporotic fracture’ were the main reasons for prescribing denosumab. Most patients received all four post-baseline denosumab injections (Czech Republic, 82.0%; Slovakia, 81.0%), and more than 98% of patients in both countries received all injections at the prescribing center. At 24 months, most patients experienced an increase in BMD T score for the lumbar spine, total hip, or femoral neck (Czech Republic, 69.7–91.7%; Slovakia, 67.1–92.9%). Adverse drug reactions were consistent with the known safety profile of denosumab.ConclusionBaseline characteristics of patients receiving denosumab in the Czech Republic and Slovakia reflect the reimbursement criteria for this agent in each country. The findings of our study in patients who are at high risk for fracture are consistent with the growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of denosumab in real-world clinical practice.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01652690.FundingAmgen Inc.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12325-018-0779-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

After the fall: improving osteoporosis treatment following hip fracture.

Osteoporotic hip fracture is a debilitating condition with major morbidity and mortality implications. Osteoporosis medication given within 90days of hip fracture improves mortality and reduces risk of future fractures. The aim of this project was to improve rates of timely osteoporosis treatment following fragility hip fracture. This was a two-step intervention utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, beginning with resident-focused education in cycle 1. In cycle 2, we offered osteoporosis medication to inpatients for hip fracture with help from a new electronic order set. Prior to this intervention, 32% of patients received osteoporosis medication within 90days of fragility hip fracture; this improved to 81% after intervention. Resident education and an electronic order set dramatically improved the percentage of patients meeting standard of care with osteoporosis pharmacotherapy following fragility fracture.

Comparison of the effects of eldecalcitol with either raloxifene or bisphosphonate on serum tartrate resistant acid phosphatase-5b, a bone resorption marker, in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

This study analyzes whether concomitant raloxifene (RLX) or bisphosphonates (BP) plus eldecalcitol (ELD) has excessive suppressive effects on a bone resorption marker during the first 6 months of treatment in postmenopausal women in real-world setting. 285 postmenopausal osteoporotic patients who had been treated with RLX or BP plus ELD were evaluated the bone resorption marker, serum tartrate resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), during the first 6 months of treatment. In drug-naïve group (not received osteoporosis medications before the administration, n=70), the concomitant RLX or BP with ELD significantly decreased levels of TRACP-5b without severe suppression. In vitamin D switch group [RLX or BP plus alfacalcidol (ALF) and then switched to RLX or BP plus ELD, n=215], the replacing ALF with ELD further and significantly decreased TRACP-5b and tertile analyses based on baseline values were significantly decreased far more in the highest, compared with the lowest tertile in the ELD+RLX and ELD+BP groups. ELD combined with RLX or BP administered for 6 months to postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who were drug-naïve or who had switched medications significantly reduced and maintained TRACP-5b values within the reference range.

Disparities in osteoporosis treatments.

Osteoporosis treatment rates within 2years following an index event (fragility fracture, osteoporotic bone mineral density (BMD) T-score, or osteoporosis ICD-9 codes) were determined from 2005 to 2011. Most patients were not treated. Fracture patients had the lowest treatment rate. Low treatment rates also occurred in patients that were male, black, or had non-commercial insurance. Clinical recognition of osteoporosis (osteoporotic BMD, assignment of an ICD-9 code, or the occurrence of fragility fractures) provides opportunities to treat patients at risk for future fracture. A cohort of 36,965 patients was identified from 2005 to 2011 in the Indiana Health Information Exchange, with index events after age 50 of either non-traumatic fractures, an osteoporosis ICD-9 code, or a BMD T-score ≤ -2.5. Patients with osteoporosis treatment in the preceding year were excluded. Medication records during the ensuing 2years were extracted to identify osteoporosis treatments, demographics, comorbidities, and co-medications. Predictors of treatment were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression model. The cohort was 78% female, 11% black, 91% urban-dwelling, and 53% commercially insured. The index events were as follows: osteoporosis diagnosis (47% of patients), fragility fracture (44%), and osteoporotic T-scores (9%). Within 2years after the index event, 23.3% received osteoporosis medications (of which, 82.2% were oral bisphosphonates). Treatment rates were higher after osteoporosis diagnosis codes (29.3%) or osteoporotic T-score (53.9%) than after fracture index events (10.5%) (p < 0.001). Age had an inverted U-shaped effect for women with highest odds around 60-65years. Women (OR 1.86) and non-black patients (OR 1.52) were more likely to be treated (p < 0.001). Patients with public (versus commercial) insurance (OR 0.86, p < 0.001) or chronic comorbidities (ORs about 0.7-0.9, p < 0.001) were less likely to be treated. Most osteoporosis treatment candidates remained untreated. Men, black patients, and patients with fracture or chronic comorbidities were less likely to receive treatment, representing disparity in the recognition and treatment of osteoporosis.

Longitudinal practice patterns of prophylaxis of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.

The aim of this study was to analyze the longitudinal practice patterns of prophylaxis of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Patients diagnosed with PMR were collected retrospectively in two rheumatology departments. In addition to demographic and diagnostic criteria, the chart review included the following information at baseline and at follow-up: doses of prednisone, prescription of calcium, vitamin D and bisphosphonates, bone mass measurement (BMD) and fragility fractures. We analyzed the percentage of patients undergoing BMD and were prescribed a bisphosphonate over the years. We evaluated 158 patients: 117 of them were women, mean age was 73 years, and they had an average follow-up of 4.8 years. 104 patients (66 %) received osteoporosis medication during the first visit, 44 of them were given bisphosphonate. During follow-up, another 30 treatments with bisphosphonate were added (46 % overall) while 37 cases (23 %) received no treatment with calcium or bisphosphonate. BMD was performed in 111 patients (69 %; 53 % of males and 76 % of females). Factors associated with the use of bisphosphonates were female sex (OR 4.4, 95 % CI 4.02-4.86), BMD (OR 2.4, 95 % CI 2.05-2.78) and commencement of treatment after the year 2005 (54 vs 37 %, OR 1.93, 95 % CI 1.60-2.26). No significant differences were found with age, initial doses of prednisone or the hospital. According to recent prevention guidelines, treatment with biphosphonate should have been administered in more than 90 % of patients. Although prophylaxis of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in patients with PMR has increased in the recent years, many patients do not receive prophylaxis with bisphosphonate during the first visit.

Substantial under-treatment among women diagnosed with osteoporosis in a US managed-care population: a retrospective analysis

Background:Multiple therapies are approved for the treatment of osteoporosis (OP), but many patients with osteoporosis may not initiate treatment upon osteoporosis diagnosis.Objective:To characterize initiation of pharmacologic OP treatment among women within 1 year of OP diagnosis in a US managed care population.Research design and methods:The retrospective cohort study included women aged ≥55 years with a claims-documented diagnosis of OP who were naïve to OP medications prior to OP diagnosis (index date) during 2001–2010. Continuous enrollment for 12 months before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the index date was required. Patients who received OP medications but did not have an OP diagnosis were excluded. Differences in baseline characteristics between the treated and untreated cohorts were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum (continuous variables) and chi-square tests (categorical variables).Main outcomes measures:During the follow-up period, the percentages of patients treated with bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid) and non-bisphosphonates (calcitonin, raloxifene, teriparatide) were determined.Results:A total of 65,344 patients, mean age 65.7 years, met study inclusion exclusion criteria. During the follow-up period, 42,033 patients (64.3%) received no OP medication and 23,311 patients (35.7%) received OP treatment. A total of 20,200 patients (30.9% of total study population) received bisphosphonates and 3111 (4.8% of total) patients received non-bisphosphonates as their index medication. At baseline, untreated patients were slightly older and had higher rates of hypertension, chronic inflammatory joint disease, diabetes mellitus, and gastrointestinal events (p ≤ 0.01) compared with treated patients.Conclusions:Among women aged ≥55 years in a US managed-care population, 64.3% received no pharmacologic treatment within 1 year after being diagnosed with OP. The authors were not able to determine if untreated patients did not receive or did not fill a prescription. Further research is needed to understand the barriers to OP treatment and reasons for non-treatment.