SECONDARY PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS UPON DISCHARGE AND AFTER SIX MONTHS AMONG PATIENTS WITH AN OSTEOPOROTIC HIP FRACTURE

Abstract

Introduction: The main symptom of osteoporosis is fractures. Osteoporostic hip fractures are and increasing problem due to their morbid-mortality and health cost. The necessity of recommending treatment for osteoporosis upon discharge after hip fractures is generally accepted. The object of this study is to evaluate secondary prevention upon discharge and at 6 months after a hip fracture

MATERIAL AND Methods: Prospective observational study analyzing all osteoporòtica hip fractures among patients older than 50 treated during 2004, with telephonic follow-up.

RESULTS: We attended 563 fractures in 556 patients, with a mean age of 82,96 years (50 – 105) and a female: male ratio of 2,9:1. Mortality was 7,8% in-hospital and 20,2% at 6 months. Though 52,1% had suffered a previous osteoporotic fracture an 13,7% a previous hip fracture, only 16,3% had at some time been treated for osteoporosis.

Pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis (%, Upon discharge vs. at 6 months): Global (38,1 vs. 31%), Calcium +/− vitamin D (8,2 vs. 18%), Ca-VitD + biphosphonate (28,1 vs. 10,8%), Biphosphonate only (3,4 vs. 1,7%). The patients that had received treatment upon discharge were morle likely to receive it at 6 months (RR 2,2, CI95% 1,5 – 3,2). Women, patients that had been sent to a temporary nursing home and patients that had a better functional status were more likely to receive treatment (p< 0,05). There was no significant correlation with patient age or previous fractures.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study’s patients are similar to other studies published. Treatment compliance with biphosphonate falls at 6 month after discharge. It is important to recommend treatment for osteoporosis upon discharge.