scholarly journals Factors associated with low bone density in patients referred for assessment of bone health

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Swartz Topor ◽  
Patrice Melvin ◽  
Courtney Giancaterino ◽  
Catherine M Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Bone Density ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Low Bone Density

scholarly journals Factors associated with initiation of bone-health medication among older adults in primary care in Ireland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E Walsh ◽  
Mari Nerdrum ◽  
Tom Fahey ◽  
Frank Moriarty
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
High Fracture ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Multimorbid Patients

Abstract Background Adults at high risk of fragility fracture should be offered pharmacological treatment when not contraindicated, however, under-treatment is common. Objective This study aimed to investigate factors associated with bone-health medication initiation in older patients attending primary care. Design This was a retrospective cohort study. Setting The study used data from forty-four general practices in Ireland from 2011–2017. Subjects The study included adults aged ≥ 65 years who were naïve to bone-health medication for 12 months. Methods Overall fracture-risk (based on QFracture) and individual fracture-risk factors were described for patients initiated and not initiated onto medication and compared using generalised linear model regression with the Poisson distribution. Results Of 36,799 patients (51% female, mean age 75.4 (SD = 8.4)) included, 8% (n = 2,992) were observed to initiate bone-health medication during the study. One-fifth of all patients (n = 8,193) had osteoporosis or had high fracture-risk but only 21% of them (n = 1,687) initiated on medication. Female sex, older age, state-funded health cover and osteoporosis were associated with initiation. Independently of osteoporosis and co-variates, high 5-year QFracture risk for hip (IRR = 1.33 (95% CI = 1.17–1.50), P < 0.01) and all fractures (IRR = 1.30 (95% CI = 1.17–1.44), P < 0.01) were associated with medication initiation. Previous fracture, rheumatoid arthritis and corticosteroid use were associated with initiation, while liver, kidney, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy showed an inverse association. Conclusions Bone-health medication initiation is targeted at patients at higher fracture-risk but much potential under-treatment remains, particularly in those >80 years and with co-morbidities. This may reflect clinical uncertainty in older multimorbid patients, and further research should explore decision-making in preventive bone medication prescribing.

scholarly journals Persistence with oral bisphosphonates and denosumab among older adults in primary care in Ireland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Walsh ◽  
Tom Fahey ◽  
Frank Moriarty
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Oral Bisphosphonates ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Increase Fracture Risk

ABSTRACTPurposeGaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate persistence rates for oral bisphosphonates and denosumab in older primary care patients and identify factors associated with discontinuation.MethodsOlder patients newly prescribed oral bisphosphonates or denosumab between 2012 and 2017 were identified from 44 general practices (GP) in Ireland. Persistence without a coverage gap of >90 days was calculated for both medications from therapy initiation. Factors associated with time to discontinuation were explored using Cox regression analysis. Exposures included age-group, osteoporosis diagnosis, fracture history, calcium/vitamin D prescription, number of other medications, health cover, dosing frequency (bisphosphonates) and previous bone-health medication (denosumab).ResultsOf 41,901 patients, n=1,569 newly initiated on oral bisphosphonates and n=1,615 on denosumab. Two-year persistence was 49.4% for oral bisphosphonates and 53.8% for denosumab and <10% were switched to other medication. Having state-funded health cover was associated with a lower hazard of discontinuation for both oral bisphosphonates (HR=0.49, 95%CI=0.36-0.66, p<0.01) and denosumab (HR=0.71, 95%CI=0.57-0.89, p<0.01). Older age-group, number of medications and calcium/vitamin D prescription were also associated with better bisphosphonate persistence while having osteoporosis diagnosed was associated with better denosumab persistence.ConclusionPersistence for osteoporosis medications is sub-optimal. Of concern, few patients are switched to other bone-health treatments when denosumab is stopped which could increase fracture risk. Free access to GP services and medications may have resulted in better medication persistence in this cohort. Future research should explore prescribing choices in primary-care osteoporosis management and evaluate cost-effectiveness of interventions for improving persistence.SUMMARYGaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce its effectiveness. This study found approximately half of older adults in primary care newly initiated on bisphosphonates or denosumab were still taking these after 2 years. Abrupt discontinuation of denosumab without switching to an alternative is concerning due to increased fracture risk.

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