Undertreatment of osteoporosis in regional Western Australia
Abstract
AIM: To identify the geographic differences in osteoporosis management.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, osteoporosis treatments in older patients presented to a hip fracture unit from mid 2005-2009 were analysed. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of rural residency with osteoporosis treatments.
RESULTS: Among 1130 patients (20% rural, mean age 81.1 years), there was a low prescription rate for osteoporosis among rural patients. Rural patients were 65% less likely to use vitamin D, 60% less likely to use calcium and 46% less likely to use bisphosphonates before a hip fracture than their urban counterparts. Their compliance with vitamin D and calcium was also lower at 1 year but improved significantly over the study period, whereas compliance with bisphosphonate decreased in both regions.
CONCLUSION: Undertreatment of osteoporosis was common in rural patients. These findings need to be confirmed by larger population-based studies.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,130 participants or records.
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