Hip fracture patients are not treated for osteoporosis: a call to action.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether hip fracture patients, a group at very high risk for additional fragility fractures, are being evaluated and treated effectively for osteoporosis.


METHODS
Clinical and bone densitometry (dual x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) records were reviewed in hip fracture patients at 4 Midwestern US health systems to determine the frequency of DXA use, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and antiresorptive drug treatment.


RESULTS
DXA was performed at the 4 study sites in only 12%, 12%, 13%, and 24% of patients, respectively. Calcium and vitamin D supplements were prescribed in 27%, 1%, 3%, and 25% of the patients at the 4 study sites. Antiresorptive drugs were prescribed in 26%, 12%, 7%, and 37% of the patients with only 2-10% receiving a bisphosphonate.


CONCLUSIONS
Reducing osteoporotic fractures will require more effective approaches to managing hip fracture patients and other high-risk populations.
Harrington
J Timothy
JT
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. harrington@uwmf.wisc.edu
Broy
Susan B
SB
Derosa
Angela M
AM
Licata
Angelo A
AA
Shewmon
David A
DA
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D019386:Alendronate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D004967:Estrogens; D014807:Vitamin D; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium; D019386:Alendronate