Preventive steps implemented on geriatric services in the primary health care centers during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the delivery of medical care across the world. The objective of the study is to understand and document the preventive steps implemented on geriatric services in the primary health care centers during COVID-19 pandemic. Design and Methods: This is a retrospective study carried on geriatric services utilization (Geriatric clinic- osteoporosis clinic – Memory and dementia clinic) in primary health care centers in Dubai Health Authority in 2020.Results: The study showed that the overall in person visits for all geriatric service in 2020 declined by almost 70%. The total number of telephone consultations in geriatric clinics, osteoporosis clinics and memory clinics were 1479, 1149 and 104 respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic had led to a reduction in most of the geriatric services including outpatient clinics, screening and referral. Telephone consultation provided a foundation for delivery of the service.Conclusion: This study reflected the potential for telehealth services to bring benefits and convenience to the geriatric population, even after the end of the pandemic.

P112 Teriparatide versus anti-resorptive treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients with severe osteoporosis: an observational study

Background/Aims Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis (OP) and have a twofold increased risk of vertebral fracture compared with the general population. There is increasing evidence that teriparatide (TPTD) is superior to anti-resorptive medication in patients with severe spinal OP.The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of TPTD with anti-resorptive treatment (ART) in RA patients with severe spinal OP. Methods Observational study of RA patients and controls with severe OP who were referred to a specialist osteoporosis clinic. Patients with a history of two vertebral fractures or a spinal BMD Tscore < -4 were offered either TPTD or standard care with either oral or parenteral ART. After completion of TPTD treatment patients were advised to commence ART. DEXA re-evaluation was usually performed after 1, 2 and 5 years. Results We studied 59 postmenopausal women with RA who had severe spinal OP. In the RA group 29 patients received TPTD treatment and 30 patients were started on ART (12 Zoledronic acid, 11 Alendronate, 3 Risedronate, 2 Denosumab, 1 Etidronate and 1 unknown).RA patients who were started on TPTD were on average 5 years younger (65.4 ±10.6) than patients who were started on ART (70.6±8.2; p = 0.041). Slightly more than half of TPTD RA patients (55.2%) had previously received bisphosphonates and 10.3% received low dose Prednisolone (mean± SD dose = 5.5 ± 3.3 mg). Baseline lumbar spine T-score was -4.25±0.57 in the RA TPTD group. Patients with RA who elected to have ART as opposed to TPTD had higher BMD values as compared with those who chose to have TPTD (T-score = -3.39±1.09; p = 0.001, from RA TPTD group).We found that increase in BMD with TPTD treatment was superior to ART in the RA group at increasing spine BMD after 2 years (+17.59% ± 9.63% vs 3.19 % ± 4.99% , p value<0.001). Assessment after 5 years following commencement of ART showed that spine BMD remained higher in the RA TPTD group than in the RA ART group alone (18.0% ± 11.6% vs 6.36 % ± 8.95%; p = 0.019). However, there was no significant difference between TPTD and ART on hip BMD change at 2 years (+ 3.6% ± 12.2 % vs -0.57% ± 5.96%, p = 0.237) or 5 years (+1.0% ± 10.9% vs -0.3% vs ± 7.8%, p = 0.724). Conclusion This real-world study confirms that TPTD treatment is more effective in treating severe spinal OP in RA patients than antiresorptive medication alone. Despite the fact that the majority of RA patients had been pre-treated with bisphosphonates the TPTD treatment effect in RA patients was robust. Anabolic treatment with TPTD is a good option for RA patients with severe spinal OP. Disclosure B. Hauser: Other; Dr Hauser has received fees for a promotional article from Gedeon Richter. K.M. Berg: None. J.A. Lambert: None. S.H. Ralston: Grants/research support; Prof Ralston has received grant funding from Lilly for an observational study and donation of Teriparatide for the TOPAZ trial in Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Medication Non-adherence in Patients with Osteoporosis: Implications for Clinical Pharmacists and Osteoporosis Care Providers

Background : Poor adherence to the prescribed therapy leads to low bone mineral density and enhance the development of osteoporosis complications and unnecessary hospitalization. Objective : To explore factors associated with medication non-adherence in patients with osteoporosis. Findings would help guide the development of future pharmaceutical care interventions aim at improving health outcomes for patients with osteoporosis. Methods: The study was conducted at an outpatient osteoporosis clinic at the Royal Medical Services Hospital. Variables including socio-demographics and medical factors were collected using medical records and custom-designed questionnaire. Medication adherence was assessed using the validated 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Logistic regression was performed to develop a model with variables that best predicted medication non-adherence in patients with osteoporosis in Jordan. Results : A total of 296 patients participated in the study. Most of the study participants (72.3%) were found non-adherent. Patients were found less likely to adhere to the prescribed medications with each unit increase in the number of prescribed medications (OR = 2.503, CI = 1.103-5.680) and if they did not have a trust in the efficacy of the medications (OR = 5.544, CI = 0.990-31.058). Conclusion: Medication adherence for patients with osteoporosis has considered scope for improvement in Jordan. Simplifying dosage regimen in addition to taking patients’ preferences when selecting the medications should be taken into account in future interventions designed to improve health outcomes for patients with osteoporosis.

AB1180 THE EVOLUTION OF AN FLS IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE: THE EXPERIENCE OF GRAN CANARIA.

Background:The implementation of an FLS in the Spanish public health system is not an easy task since there are no official plans for the incorporation of personnel dedicated to the unitObjectives:To expose the consolidation and improvement of an FLS after its implementation as well as the problems that have arisen over time.Methods:The health program for secondary fracture prevention was implemented in 2012. Initially worked with the same staff assigned to the Rheumatology service, since 2016 we have a part-time support nurse. Patients are identified from the emergency registry and, more recently, from patients admitted for hip fracture and treated in a monographic osteoporosis clinic. The baseline visit consists of consultation with the nurse, DXA and bone metabolism analytics. Falling patients are referred to a fall prevention school. Most patients are referred to their primary care physician to start a treatment.Results:Of the 2,416 patients attended the baseline visit, 30% were forearm fractures, 27% hip, 20% humerus, 10% spine and 11% other fractures. In comparison to 2012, in 2019 the monthly average of patients has doubled, increased the number of hip and spine fractures, and increased the percentage of captured patients (Table). In spite of consolidating the unit, getting a support nurse for the admitted patients and establishing a solid alliance with primary care, it is pending the involvement of Primary Care Nurses and start first prescription at the hospital.Table.Comparison of the first year with the last year of implementation of our FLS.20122019Mean monthly number of fractures, N2242Type of fracture: forearm/hip/spine, %37/20/628/40/11Captured patients of elegible, %5777Delay in weeks until first visit to FLS, median1412Patient origin: emergency list/inpatient/outpatient, %100/0/059/31/9DXA performed, %10061Referral to fall prevention school, %026Criteria to start a treatment, %6790*Referral to the osteoporosis clinic, %377*We apply the 2019 recommendations of the Spanish Society of RheumatologyConclusion:We present the achievements made by our FLS along 8 years and the difficulties within the Spanish public health system.Disclosure of Interests:Antonio Naranjo Grant/research support from: amgen, Consultant of: UCB, Speakers bureau: AMGEN, Amparo Molina Speakers bureau: AMGEN, STADA, Cristina Sepúlveda: None declared, Candelaria Torres: None declared, Fabiola Santana: None declared, Francisco Rubiño: None declared, Rubén López: None declared, Soledad Ojeda Speakers bureau: AMGEN, LILLY, GEBRO

The Evaluation of an Osteoporosis Clinic in a Community Hospital Setting: a Retrospective Chart Review and Telephone Survey

BackgroundPatients who have suffered fragility fractures are at an in-creased risk for subsequent fractures. The Osteoporosis (OP) Clinic at Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) was set up in July 2015 to screen, diagnose, and treat patients with fragility fractures. The goal of this study was to identify differences in OP screening and treatment initiation between patients seen in the OP clinic versus usual care.MethodsA retrospective cohort study and telephone interview was conducted on 40 patients who had sustained a hip fragility fracture between September 2015 and July 2016. 20 of those patients were referred to the OP clinic, while the remaining patients received usual care. ResultsAt the end of the intervention, 16/20 patients in the OP clinic group were appropriately placed on a bisphosphonate/RANKL inhibitor versus only 6/20 patients in the usual care group (p < .01).ConclusionsA significant care gap exists in secondary fracture prevention between the osteoporosis clinic and usual care groups. Better screening and subsequent intervention are needed for patients with fragility fractures. This study highlights the efficacy of an outpatient OP clinic in a community hospital setting.