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Patterns of treatment in Australian men following fracture

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Abstract

Summary

This study aimed to describe treatment initiation rates for men who had recently sustained a fracture. Most (75.9%) men potentially eligible for subsidised treatment at the time of fracture remained untreated even after a subsequent fracture.

Introduction

This study aimed to describe treatment initiation rates for men who had recently sustained a fracture.

Methods

The study was conducted as part of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study in south-eastern Australia. Men in the study area who had sustained an incident fracture in the period July 2006 to December 2007 were identified from hospital radiology reports. A self-report questionnaire was sent to eligible participants approximately 12 months after fracture. Respondents were asked for details of medications prescribed for ‘osteoporosis/fracture/low bone mass’ before and after fracture, and where applicable, reasons for cessation of treatment. We analysed the results for 109 men aged 50 years and older who had sustained fracture in the study period.

Results

Most (75.9%) men potentially eligible for subsidised treatment at the time of fracture remained untreated. Of the 87 men who were untreated, nine had osteoporosis at the hip and/or spine and 29 (26.6%) reported having sustained a low trauma prior fracture.

Conclusions

Our findings are consistent with previously published data showing low rates of treatment initiation in men eligible for osteoporosis treatment. There appear to be barriers involving participants’ and medical practitioners’ knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding osteoporosis and treatment, as well as in the doctor–patient partnership in osteoporosis management. Establishment of clinical pathways for fracture management beyond orthopaedic care may be one of a range of appropriate responses.

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Acknowledgements

Support for the study was provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council. We thank Ms Rosalynn Korn for obtaining and entering questionnaire data.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, PO Box 281, Geelong, 3220, Australia

    R. Otmar, M. J. Henry, M. A. Kotowicz, G. C. Nicholson, S. Korn & J. A. Pasco

Authors
  1. R. Otmar
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  2. M. J. Henry
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  3. M. A. Kotowicz
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  4. G. C. Nicholson
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  5. S. Korn
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  6. J. A. Pasco
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. A. Pasco.

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Otmar, R., Henry, M.J., Kotowicz, M.A. et al. Patterns of treatment in Australian men following fracture. Osteoporos Int 22, 249–254 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1204-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1204-7

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