Suffering Fragility Fractures Research Articles

2242 Retrospective study of inpatient falls resulting in patient harm April–September 2023. Comparing our care to the BSG guidelines.

Abstract Objective To identify good practices and highlight areas for improvement in the prevention and management of inpatient falls. Method Fifteen patients had serious inpatient falls between April and September 2023 within the hospital. Electronic notes and fall panel meeting minutes were used to provide an analysis of the ‘pre-fall’ and ‘post-fall’ assessments. Data was collected and analysed using AMaT and then compared to the standards set by RCP National Audit of Inpatient Falls (NAIF)—from KPI overview, 25% of patients had good quality Multi Factorial Risk Assessment (MFRA) in our Trust compared to National average of 33%. Results 70% of patients had been identified as high risk of falls at admission. Patients were prescribed a median of 10 medications, with a median of 3 falls-risk increasing drugs (FRID). Before the inpatient fall: the majority of patients received an ECG and mobility assessment early in admission. Only 40% of patients had a lying/standing blood pressure (LSBP) 100% of those that showed a deficit were acted on appropriately. Only 20% had a documented medication review. Following the inpatient fall: A LSBP was done in only 33% of patients. A medication review was completed in 53% yet the average patient was discharged with 3 more medications. 73% of patients suffered fragility fractures due to the fall however bone protection was only considered in 40%. Conclusion This audit highlights that there are areas of MFRA that require improvement, specifically LSBP, and a medication review. 33% of falls occurred in ‘medically-optimised’ patients—resulting in at least 60 additional inpatient days. The results have been discussed with the multi-disciplinary team—intervention to improve performance will be piloted in two areas with the highest incidence of inpatient falls, with continuous learning and sharing of lessons embedded into our Falls Collaborative Initiative.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the Geriatric Fracture Center (GFC) concept: a prospective multicentre cohort study

IntroductionGeriatric Fracture Centers (GFCs) are dedicated treatment units where care is tailored towards elderly patients who have suffered fragility fractures. The primary objective of this economic analysis was to determine...

Patients’ thoughts about assessment of fracture risk in a dental setting using FRAX—a qualitative interview study

SummaryFRAX is a tool based on questions that identifies persons at risk of fragility fractures. We interviewed patients about their thoughts on doing FRAX in a dental setting. They were generally positive but had some concerns that need to be considered before introducing FRAX in a dental setting.PurposeTo investigate patients’ thoughts about assessing the risk of fragility fractures using the FRAX tool in a dental setting. Sweden has a high incidence of fragility fractures, but many of these are preventable. The most common method for identifying persons with a high risk of sustaining fragility fractures is FRAX, a validated instrument for assessing the risk of suffering fragility fractures within 10 years. In the Nordic countries, most of the adult population has regular contact with their dentist, which could be useful in identifying high-risk individuals.MethodsA qualitative inductive approach to content analysis, with individual semi-structured interviews, was used. Seven women and three men, aged 65–75 years, were interviewed and assessed with FRAX.ResultsAn overarching theme was that patients considered a FRAX assessment in the dental setting a good service but doubted that the dentists would have the interest, time, and knowledge to do it. The patients had little knowledge and experience of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. They were positive towards assessing the fracture risk with the FRAX instrument. If they were found to have a high fracture risk, they expected the dentist to send a referral for further investigation and to collaborate in the risk assessment with their family physician. They thought risk assessment in a dental context would be a good service if the fee was the same as that in primary care.ConclusionMost participants were positive about having FRAX and other health assessments done in the dental clinic, but this study shows that patients have concerns that need to be addressed before introducing FRAX in this context.

High prevalence of missed information related on bone health in orthogeriatric patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis\u2014an institutional register-based analysis

SummaryThis is the first study that highlighted the amount of missed information related on bone health in orthogeriatric patients suffering fragility fractures of the pelvis and also evaluated its prevalence and differing etiology in the assessed patients, regarding osteoporosis and/or osteomalacia, based on laboratory and instrumental measurements. This evaluation should become a standardized procedure in the treatment of orthogeriatric patients presenting with a FFP.IntroductionFragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) are common in orthogeriatric patients. Secondary fracture prevention regarding evaluation and treatment of an underlying osteoporosis or osteomalacia is still often neglected. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of missed information related on bone health in older adult FFP patients, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in assessed patients, and if fracture type–dependent distribution patterns could be observed. MethodsA retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of an institutional register was performed. Patients aged 80 years and older (n = 456) admitted with a FFP from 01/2003 until 12/2019 to a level I trauma center were included. ResultsIn 456 patients, FFP type II were leading (66.7%). Diagnostics were conducted in 37.1% of the patients regarding measurement of vitamin D levels and 21.7% regarding DXA measurements; vitamin D deficiency was observed in 62.7%, indicators for an underlying osteomalacia in 45.8%, and an osteoporosis in 46.5% of the assessed patients. ConclusionAlthough FFP are common and will increase, there is still a lack of secondary fracture prevention, starting with information related on bone health. In the assessed patients, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was present, but no significant correlation between vitamin D level and type of fracture was observed. Ongoing education for varying etiology and specific treatment of these fractures is necessary, as surgical treatment was unified, but drug therapy remains different.

"Pregnancy and Lactation Associated Osteoporosis".

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a rare condition of skeletal fragility affecting women in pregnancy or the postpartum period. During normal pregnancy and lactation, substantial changes in calcium metabolism and skeletal physiology occur in order to meet the demands of the developing foetus. Whilst these adaptations are reversible and generally of no clinical consequence for the mother, a small number of women will develop osteoporosis and suffer fragility fractures. Vertebral fractures occur most commonly in PAO and are often multiple. Due to the rarity of PAO, systematic study to date has been limited. Aetiology is poorly understood, but traditional osteoporosis risk factors and genetic factors are likely to play a role. A small number of cases may be due to an underlying metabolic bone disorder or monogenic condition. Management of PAO is challenging, due both to a poor evidence base and the fact that spontaneous improvement in BMD is known to occur once pregnancy and lactation are complete. Bisphosphonates, denosumab and teriparatide have all been used in individual patients, but the data supporting their use are currently limited.

MicroRNA-146a controls age-related bone loss.

Bone loss is one of the consequences of aging, leading to diseases such as osteoporosis and increased susceptibility to fragility fractures and therefore considerable morbidity and mortality in humans. Here, we identify microRNA‐146a (miR‐146a) as an essential epigenetic switch controlling bone loss with age. Mice deficient in miR‐146a show regular development of their skeleton. However, while WT mice start to lose bone with age, animals deficient in miR‐146a continue to accrue bone throughout their life span. Increased bone mass is due to increased generation and activity of osteoblasts in miR‐146a‐deficient mice as a result of sustained activation of bone anabolic Wnt signaling during aging. Deregulation of the miR‐146a target genes Wnt1 and Wnt5a parallels bone accrual and osteoblast generation, which is accompanied by reduced development of bone marrow adiposity. Furthermore, miR‐146a‐deficient mice are protected from ovariectomy‐induced bone loss. In humans, the levels of miR‐146a are increased in patients suffering fragility fractures in comparison with those who do not. These data identify miR‐146a as a crucial epigenetic temporal regulator which essentially controls bone homeostasis during aging by regulating bone anabolic Wnt signaling. Therefore, miR‐146a might be a powerful therapeutic target to prevent age‐related bone dysfunctions such as the development of bone marrow adiposity and osteoporosis.

Vertebral bone quality score predicts fragility fractures independently of bone mineral density

BACKGROUND Current evidence suggests that dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans –conventional method defining osteoporosis – is underutilized and, when used, may underestimate patient risk for skeletal fragility. It has recently been suggested that other imaging modalities may better estimate bone quality, such as the MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score, previously associated with vertebral compression fracture risk in patients with spine metastases. PURPOSE To evaluate whether VBQ score is predictive of fragility fractures in a population with pre-existing low bone density and at high-risk for fracture. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective single-center cohort. PATIENT SAMPLE Patients followed at a metabolic bone clinic for osteopenia/osteoporosis. OUTCOME MEASURES Radiographically-documented new- onset fragility fracture. METHODS Patients with a DXA and MRI scans at the time of consultation and ≥2-year follow-up were included. Details were gathered about patient demographics, health history, current medication use, and serological studies of kidney function and bone turnover. For each patient, VBQ score was calculated using T1-weighted lumbar MRI images. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of a new fragility fracture. To support the construct validity of VBQ, patient VBQ scores were compared to those in a cohort of 45 healthy adults. RESULTS Seventy-two (39.1%) study participants suffered fragility fractures, the occurrence of which was associated with higher VBQ score (3.50 vs 3.01; p<0.001), chronic glucocorticoid use (30.6% vs 15.2%; p=0.014), and a history of prior fragility fracture (36.1% vs 21.4%; p=0.030). Mean VBQ score across all patients in the study cohort was significantly higher than the mean VBQ score in the healthy controls (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, new-onset fracture was independently associated with history of prior fracture (OR=6.94; 95% CI [2.48–19.40]; p<0.001), higher VBQ score (OR=2.40 per point; [1.30–4.44]; p=0.003), higher BMI (OR=1.09 per kg/m 2 ; [1.01–1.17]; p- 0.03), and chronic glucocorticoid use (OR=2.89; [1.03–8.17]; p=0.043). Notably, DXA bone mineral density (BMD) was not found to be significantly predictive of new-onset fractures in the multivariable analysis (p=0.081). CONCLUSION Here we demonstrate the novel, MRI-derived VBQ score is both an independent predictor of fragility fracture in at-risk patients and a superior predictor of fracture risk than DXA-measured BMD. Given the frequency with which MRIs are obtained by patients undergoing spine surgery consultation, we believe the VBQ score could be a valuable tool for estimating bone quality in order to optimize the management of these patients. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs. Current evidence suggests that dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans –conventional method defining osteoporosis – is underutilized and, when used, may underestimate patient risk for skeletal fragility. It has recently been suggested that other imaging modalities may better estimate bone quality, such as the MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score, previously associated with vertebral compression fracture risk in patients with spine metastases. To evaluate whether VBQ score is predictive of fragility fractures in a population with pre-existing low bone density and at high-risk for fracture. Retrospective single-center cohort. Patients followed at a metabolic bone clinic for osteopenia/osteoporosis. Radiographically-documented new- onset fragility fracture. Patients with a DXA and MRI scans at the time of consultation and ≥2-year follow-up were included. Details were gathered about patient demographics, health history, current medication use, and serological studies of kidney function and bone turnover. For each patient, VBQ score was calculated using T1-weighted lumbar MRI images. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of a new fragility fracture. To support the construct validity of VBQ, patient VBQ scores were compared to those in a cohort of 45 healthy adults. Seventy-two (39.1%) study participants suffered fragility fractures, the occurrence of which was associated with higher VBQ score (3.50 vs 3.01; p<0.001), chronic glucocorticoid use (30.6% vs 15.2%; p=0.014), and a history of prior fragility fracture (36.1% vs 21.4%; p=0.030). Mean VBQ score across all patients in the study cohort was significantly higher than the mean VBQ score in the healthy controls (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, new-onset fracture was independently associated with history of prior fracture (OR=6.94; 95% CI [2.48–19.40]; p<0.001), higher VBQ score (OR=2.40 per point; [1.30–4.44]; p=0.003), higher BMI (OR=1.09 per kg/m 2 ; [1.01–1.17]; p- 0.03), and chronic glucocorticoid use (OR=2.89; [1.03–8.17]; p=0.043). Notably, DXA bone mineral density (BMD) was not found to be significantly predictive of new-onset fractures in the multivariable analysis (p=0.081). Here we demonstrate the novel, MRI-derived VBQ score is both an independent predictor of fragility fracture in at-risk patients and a superior predictor of fracture risk than DXA-measured BMD. Given the frequency with which MRIs are obtained by patients undergoing spine surgery consultation, we believe the VBQ score could be a valuable tool for estimating bone quality in order to optimize the management of these patients.

Vertebral bone quality score predicts fragility fractures independently of bone mineral density

BackgroundCurrent evidence suggests that dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, the conventional method defining osteoporosis, is underutilized and, when used, may underestimate patient risk for skeletal fragility. It has recently been suggested that other imaging modalities may better estimate bone quality, such as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score which also may assess vertebral compression fracture risk in patients with spine metastases. PurposeTo evaluate whether VBQ score is predictive of fragility fractures in a population with pre-existing low bone density and at high-risk for fracture. Study Design/SettingRetrospective single-center cohort. Patient SamplePatients followed at a metabolic bone clinic for osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. Outcome MeasuresRadiographically-documented new-onset fragility fracture. MethodsPatients with a DXA and MRI scans at the time of consultation and ≥2-year follow-up were included. Details were gathered about patient demographics, health history, current medication use, and serological studies of kidney function and bone turnover. For each patient, VBQ score was calculated using T1-weighted lumbar MRI images. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of a new fragility fracture. To support the construct validity of VBQ, patient VBQ scores were compared to those in a cohort of 45 healthy adults. ResultsSeventy-two (39.1%) study participants suffered fragility fractures, the occurrence of which was associated with higher VBQ score (3.50 vs. 3.01; p<.001), chronic glucocorticoid use (30.6% vs. 15.2%; p=.014), and a history of prior fragility fracture (36.1% vs. 21.4%; p=.030). Mean VBQ score across all patients in the study cohort was significantly higher than the mean VBQ score in the healthy controls (p<.001). In multivariable analysis, new-onset fracture was independently associated with history of prior fracture (OR=6.94; 95% confidence interval [2.48–19.40]; p<.001), higher VBQ score (OR=2.40 per point; [1.30–4.44]; p=.003), higher body mass index (OR=1.09 per kg/m²; [1.01–1.17]; p=.03), and chronic glucocorticoid use (OR=2.89; [1.03–8.17]; p=0.043). Notably, DXA bone mineral density (BMD) was not found to be significantly predictive of new-onset fractures in the multivariable analysis (p=.081). ConclusionsHere we demonstrate the novel, MRI-derived VBQ score is both an independent predictor of fragility fracture in at-risk patients and a superior predictor of fracture risk than DXA-measured BMD. Given the frequency with which MRIs are obtained by patients undergoing spine surgery consultation, we believe the VBQ score could be a valuable tool for estimating bone quality in order to optimize the management of these patients.

The Evaluation of an Osteoporosis Clinic in a Community Hospital Setting: a Retrospective Chart Review and Telephone Survey.

BackgroundPatients who have suffered fragility fractures are at an increased risk for subsequent fractures. The Osteoporosis (OP) Clinic at Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) was set up in July 2015 to screen, diagnose, and treat patients with fragility fractures. The goal of this study was to identify differences in OP screening and treatment initiation between patients seen in the OP clinic versus usual care.MethodsA retrospective cohort study and telephone interview was conducted on 40 patients who had sustained a hip fragility fracture between September 2015 and July 2016. 20 of those patients were referred to the OP clinic, while the remaining patients received usual care.ResultsAt the end of the intervention, 16/20 patients in the OP clinic group were appropriately placed on a bisphosphonate/RANKL inhibitor versus only 6/20 patients in the usual care group (p < .01).ConclusionsA significant care gap exists in secondary fracture prevention between the osteoporosis clinic and usual care groups. Better screening and subsequent intervention are needed for patients with fragility fractures. This study highlights the efficacy of an outpatient OP clinic in a community hospital setting.

Good functional outcome in patients suffering fragility fractures of the pelvis treated with percutaneous screw stabilisation: Assessment of complications and factors influencing failure

BackgroundLow energy pelvic ring fractures in the elderly have traditionally been treated conservatively, a treatment with potential long-term complications and loss of self-independence. Percutaneous screw stabilisation of the posterior pelvic ring is a new treatment modality that enables immediate mobilisation. The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome after sacroiliac stabilisation in the elderly. MethodsAll elderly patients with a surgically stabilised low energy pelvic fracture between 2010 and 2015 were included. In 2016 a radiographic follow up and functional test was performed at least one year postoperative. ResultsThe 50 operated patients had a mean age of 79 years and a one-year mortality of 10% (5/50). Only six patients lost independency after the pelvic fracture and moved to nursing home. The mean Timed Up and Go test was 16s at follow-up. The operation of the posterior pelvic ring averaged 63min with a radiation equal to a diagnostic pelvic CT. One intra-foraminally placed screw was immediately removed and 9 patients were later re-operated on due to symptomatic loosening of one or more screws. No loosening of screws was seen in 11 patients where both S1 and S2 were stabilised and out of 23 trans-sacral screws (crossing both sacroiliac joints) only two loosened. DiscussionCT guided stabilisation of the posterior pelvis is safe and most patients resumed good function and independent living. The risk of a revision operation was 20%, but trans-sacral screw stabilisation in both S1 and S2 could reduce the risk of implant loosening.

Orthogeriatrics in Hip Fracture.

Orthogeriatrics is a system of care for complex elderly patients who have suffered fragility fractures. This has resulted in demonstrable improvements in care for patients with hip fracture. The article includes a review of the early history of orthogeriatrics as well as current concepts in orthogeriatric care including the use of national databases, audit and important aspects of clinical care such as analgesia, perioperative decision making, ceilings of care and rehabilitation.

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation in Elderly Patients Suffering Fragility Fractures; The Road not Taken.

Background:Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation in elderly patients may decrease the risk of hip fracture by up to one-third. Many patients suffering fragility fractures do not go on to receive this treatment despite clear recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The aim of this study was to audit the proportion of patients admitted with a hip fracture who had suffered a previous fragility fracture and were taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, with the standard being that all of these patients should have been taking bone protection. We also aimed to assess the Vitamin D levels of patients admitted with a hip fracture to our unit.Methods:Patients were prospectively added to a database over a 12-month period. Serum vitamin D levels (25-OH D3) were measured on admission and case-notes were reviewed for pre-injury social function and mobility.Results:147 patients were included in the study. Median age was 85 years (Interquartile range 79 – 90 (Range 53 – 100 years)). Only eighteen patients (11.4%) were taking calcium and vitamin D supplementation on admission. Forty seven patients (29%) had documented evidence of a previous fragility fracture within the last seven years. Only fourteen of these patients (19%) were receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation. One hundred and twenty two patients were deficient in Vitamin D (76%). Twenty five patients (16%) had insufficient Vitamin D. Only the remaining 14 patients (8%) had sufficient vitamin D. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is endemic amongst patients suffering hip fractures. Very few patients who had suffered a previous fragility fracture were taking Calcium and Vitamin D supplements when admitted with a hip fracture several years later. This is an opportunity missed.

Nutritional factors in preventing osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, main risk factor for suffering fragility fractures, is an important public health problem which has undoubted social, health and economic impact; but mainly causes pain, functional limitation and severe alterations in the patient's quality of life. Its current prevalence is very high and a further increase is expected due to a higher life expectancy and the progressive ageing of the population. In the prevention of osteoporosis, the main goal is to prevent fragility fractures; for this reason, it is necessary to: 1) promote bone formation in youth, to get sufficient bone mass peak, 2) reduce bone loss in adulthood, especially after menopause, 3) maintain bone health throughout life, and 4) prevent falls. There is enough evidence that multifactorial strategies (assessment of risk factors, healthy lifestyle habits, smoking cessation, moderation in alcohol consumption, physical exercise, outdoor activity with prudent exposure to sunlight, and a varied and balanced diet), are effective in the population at risk. Regarding factors for the prevention of osteoporosis, current recommendations are: increased consumption of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and fluoride; provide adequate vitamin D (even with fortified food if necessary); consumption of foods rich in omega-3 acids; reduction of salt and prepared ready meals; sufficient but moderate intake of protein and, in the absence of intolerance, promote the consumption of milk and dairy products, especially yogurt and fermented milk products.

Fracture Liaison Services in the United Kingdom

Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) have been demonstrated to be a clinically and cost-effective means of providing secondary preventive care for patients presenting with new fragility fractures. This review summarizes the emergence and widespread adoption of the FLS model in the United Kingdom. Large scale national audits have clearly illustrated the need for FLS by revealing the care gap experienced by the majority of patients who suffer fragility fractures. Since 2003, FLS has featured increasingly more prominently in relevant national professional guidance. During the last 5years that professional consensus has led to FLS being embedded in government policy on fracture prevention. Quality incentives have been created to encourage hospitals and primary care providers to pro-actively deliver best practice. The strategic approaches taken and lessons learned in the UK may have relevance to quality improvement efforts in other jurisdictions.

Pharmacogenomics of Osteoporosis: A Pathway Approach

Osteoporosis is frequent in postmenopausal women and old men. As with other prevalent disorders, it is the consequence of complex interactions between genetic and acquired factors. Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have pointed to several genes as determinants of the risk of osteoporosis. Some of them were previously unsuspected and may help to find new therapeutic targets. Several drugs already available are very effective in increasing bone mass and decreasing fracture risk. However, not all patients respond properly and some of them suffer fragility fractures despite therapy. Investigators have tried to identify the genetic features influencing the response to antiosteoporotic therapy. In this article we will review recent data providing insight into new genes involved in osteoporosis and the pharmacogenetic data currently available.

A National Survey of Ultra Clean Air Theatre Use in Orthopaedic Trauma

The consequences of deep surgical site infection (SSI) following orthopaedic operations can be devastating. Trauma patients, especially those suffering fragility fractures, tend to have less reserve and more co-morbidities than elective patients; infection in their case may be even more catastrophic. It is also expensive: Dreghorn et al calculated that revising infected arthroplasties was up to four times the cost of a primary total joint replacement. Maintaining low infection rates in trauma surgery depends on meticulous surgical technique, peri-operative antibiotics and scrupulous theatre standards, including the use of laminar or ultra clean air (UCA) operating theatres for sterile orthopaedic procedures.

Osteoporosis Treatment Following Hip Fracture: How Rates Vary by Service

Osteoporosis is a prevalent condition among older people. It is often undiagnosed until patients suffer fragility fractures. Previous studies have shown low rates of initiating osteoporosis treatment during the acute hip fracture hospitalization. It is not clear if this varies by the treating service. We compared the rates of instituting osteoporosis treatment during the acute hospitalization for fragility hip fractures. Rates of initiating treatment among previously untreated patients were compared between the orthopedic, medicine, and rehabilitation services using retrospective cross-sectional chart review at an academic medical center. Between January 2005 and August 2008, 191 patients admitted with a fragility hip fracture survived to be discharged from the hospital. There were 67 (35%) patients who were started on some form of osteoporosis treatment during their acute hospital stay. Factors statistically associated with starting treatment included having a discharge diagnosis of osteoporosis (P < 0.0001) and treating service (P < 0.0001). Orthopedics was the least likely of the 3 treating services to initiate treatment, while medicine was the most likely. Overall rates of osteoporosis treatment initiation were low at 35% of the 191 patients' records surveyed. Efforts to increase adherence during the acute hospital stay should be explored. A promising intervention includes instituting an osteoporosis consultative service to improve the likelihood of starting osteoporosis treatment post fragility fracture.

Disparities between rural and urban areas for osteoporosis management in the province of Quebec following the Canadian 2002 guidelines publication

Clinical guidelines have been seen as a tool for improving management of osteoporosis in order to prevent fragility fractures. However, the impact of guidelines on clinical management of osteoporosis has not been measured. We examined medical investigation and treatment before and after the 2002 Canadian guidelines publication and examined if practice changes were different between rural and urban areas. We conducted a retrospective population-based observational study using secondary data analysis. Two studied populations were selected; one before, the other after the publication of Canadian practice guidelines. The studied populations consisted of all individuals 65 years or older from Quebec (Canada) for whom a physician claimed a consultation or have been hospitalized for fragility fracture between the two predefined periods. There was no significant difference in the rate of bone mineral density testing for women before and after guidelines publication. For men a statistically significant increase was observed but remained very low. A significant increase in bisphosphonates prescribing, but no increased in the reporting of a diagnosis of osteoporosis were observed. A significant reduction of hormonal replacement therapy was seen during the year following guidelines publication. The strongest significant increases were mostly seen in urban regions compared to rural areas. Very small changes were observed for diagnostic recognition by physicians, diagnostic testing and some recommended drugs prescribing following guidelines publication. This suggests low guidelines impact on medical practice for osteoporosis in patients suffering fragility fractures.

Hemophilia, low bone mass, and osteopenia/osteoporosis

A recent case series from Australia suggested that children with hemophilia may be more likely to have low bone density or osteopenia than healthy controls. This finding has led to uncertainty among patients and their physicians as to whether treatment with bisphosphonates is indicated to treat osteopenia and prevent osteoporosis in children or young adults with hemophilia. In fact, several studies confirmed that selected patients with hemophilia were shorter, weighed less, had reduced physical activity, and had other factors (hepatitis C and HIV seropositivity) which predict lower peak bone mass. Some of these factors may accelerate loss of bone mass between ages 20 and 50 when bone mass should otherwise be stable, but no study has yet confirmed if this is the case for patients with hemophilia. Treatment with weight-bearing physical activity, physiotherapy and surgery to remobilize diseased joints, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation, can be recommended for anyone at any age. Treatment with an antiresorptive medication (usually a bisphosphonate) is not indicated for low peak bone mass that will otherwise be maintained by the patient between ages 20 and 50. On the other hand, on an individualized basis, treatment with an antiresorptive may be indicated for patients in whom rapid loss of bone mass has been confirmed by sequential BMD measurements, or who have already suffered fragility fractures, or who have reached an age and BMD value that places them into a high-risk category for estimated 10-year fracture risk.

Alendronate for the treatment of osteoporosis in men

Background: Men have higher rates of osteoporosis and suffer fragility fractures more often than previously believed. Fracture-related morbidity and mortality in men is substantially higher than in women. Objective: To investigate alendronate for treating osteoporosis in men. Methods: Search limited to ‘men’ and ‘English’; keywords were ‘osteoporosis’ or ‘bone density’ or ‘fracture’ and ‘alendronate’. Results/conclusions: Alendronate is an amino-bisphosphonate with proved efficacy for increasing bone mineral density in men with idiopathic or secondary osteoporosis and has demonstrated an ability to prevent vertebral fractures in men with low bone mass. There are trends for alendronate to decrease the risk of non-vertebral fracture, but larger trials are needed to conclusively establish this benefit. Alendronate is a well-tolerated and comparatively safe drug with an attractive once-a-week dosing regimen.