[Effective tracing of osteoporosis at a fracture and osteoporosis clinic in Groningen; an analysis of the first 100 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the results from a fracture and osteoporosis (FO) outpatient clinic in order to achieve efficient case-finding for osteoporosis in patients of 50 years and older with a fracture due to low-energy trauma.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
Following the publication of new professional guidelines for case-finding and treatment of osteoporosis, an FO outpatient clinic was opened at the University Hospital of Groningen, The Netherlands, to which patients of 50 years and older with a fracture due to low-energy trauma could be referred for further diagnosis and treatment after initial treatment for trauma. Bone-mineral density of the lumbar spine, hip and distal radius was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients with manifest osteoporosis, defined as having a fracture and a T-score < or = -2 SD at one of the measured sites, were put on medication. The results from the first 100 patients were analysed.


RESULTS
In the first five months 74% (116/156) of the patients were seen in the FO clinic. In January 2004 the first 100 patients completed the diagnostic process. A total of 67 patients had manifest osteoporosis, 20 osteopenia and 13 had normal bone density. Furthermore, 48% of the patients between 50 and 60 years old had manifest osteoporosis. Unrecognised vertebral fractures were found in 21 patients. Forty-three percent of patients with manifest osteoporosis had low 25-OH-vitamine D levels (< 30 nmol/l). Eleven patients were sent to the Department of Internal Medicine on indication of secondary osteoporosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The FO outpatient clinic proved to be effective and useful for identifying and treating a population at risk of osteoporosis.
Hegeman
J H
JH
Afd. Chirurgie, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Postbus 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen. j.h.hegeman@chir.azg.nl
Willemsen
G
G
van Nieuwpoort
J
J
Kreeftenberg
H G
HG
van der Veer
E
E
Slaets
J P J
JP
ten Duis
H J
HJ
D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood; D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015519:Bone Density; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2