AUDIT OF REFERRAL PRACTICE IN FRACTURE CLINIC FOR SECONDARY PREVENTION OF FRAGILITY FRACTURES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporotic fracture care is on the increase in healthcare systems worldwide. In the UK the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) recommends all patients > 60 presenting with fragility fracture (FF) should be evaluated for osteoporosis by axial Dual Energy X-ray Absortiometry (DEXA) scan. All patients < 60 should be assessed for osteoporosis risk factors and DEXA scanned if present. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends all woman > 75 with FF should be prescribed secondary prevention bisphosphonates for osteoporosis 1st line without the need for DEXA scan.

Aim: To evaluate how often patients with FF were appropriately managed in fracture clinic using BOA and NICE guidelines for the secondary prevention of FF.

Methods: and Results: Over a two month period 18 of 184 new patients admitted to fracture clinic were identified as having FF (16 females, 2 males with age ranges 61–89). They were followed up over six months. According to BOA and NICE guidelines only 33% (6 of 18 patients) and 42% (3 of 7 > 75’s) respectively were appropriately managed for secondary prevention.

Following this a FF prevention strategy was implemented. This consisted of fracture clinic infrastructure changes, a staff awareness teaching programme and the assignment of an osteoporosis nurse specialist.

A re-audit six months later identified 16 of 175 new patients as having FF. According to BOA and NICE guidelines 88% (14 of 16 patients) and 75% (6 of 8 > 75’s) respectively were appropriately managed for secondary prevention. Fisher’s Exact Test showed a significant improvement in secondary prevention management according to BOA guidelines (p< 0.05), but not NICE guidelines (p=0.2), as a consequence of these interventions.

Conclusion: Osteoporosis is an important cause of fracture in elderly patients. Changes to fracture clinic infrastructure, educational teaching initiatives and osteoporotic nurse specialists can improve uptake of secondary prevention measures in fracture clinic aimed at reducing risk of future fragility fractures in elderly patients.