Accident or osteoporosis?: Survey of community follow-up after low-trauma fracture.

objectiveTo describe the postfracture osteoporosis management of at-risk patients presenting with low-trauma fracture in a suburban community hospital setting.

designTelephone survey.

settingHospital emergency department serving a retirement community in White Rock and South Surrey, BC.

participantsMen and women older than 40 years of age who presented with low-trauma fracture between October 1, 2004, and April 30, 2005.

main outcome measuresThe prevalence of bone mineral density testing, osteoporosis medication prescriptions, referrals to fall prevention programs, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation within 6 months of the index fracture, as well as patient perceptions of future risk of fracture and sources of osteoporosis information.

resultsA total of 181 people met the eligibility criteria and 161 were contacted; 84 (52%) people responded, of whom 53 were interviewed. At the time of their index fractures, 79% (42 of 53) of patients surveyed were not taking osteoporosis medication. After the index fracture, 30% (16 of 53) received new bone mineral density testing, and 8% (4 of 53) were starting courses of new osteoporosis medication. Sixty-eight percent (36 of 53) of all patients were taking calcium supplements and 50% (26 of 53) were taking vitamin D supplements. Eight percent (4 of 53) of patients were referred to a fall prevention program and 9% (5 of 53) were prescribed hip protectors; 19% (10 of 53) of patients thought they were at risk of having another fracture.

conclusionOsteoporosis management of patients after low-trauma fracture in this community was suboptimal; the role of the media, family and friends, and allied health professionals to prevent fractures in at-risk individuals needs to be further explored.