Prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures among women prescribed osteoporosis medication in five European countries: the POSSIBLE EU® study

Abstract

Almost 40% of patients prescribed osteoporosis medication had a previous fracture, highlighting a population with advanced disease. In contrast, 25% of patients had neither a previous fracture nor DXA diagnosis and were prescribed treatment, probably due to other risk factors. There is a need for continued improvement of disease management in European women.

Osteoporosis: burden, health care provision and opportunities in the EU

“…In the Rhone-Alpes area, hip fracture incidence has been documented in women over the period 2001 to 2004 [37]. The three regional studies [20,34,36] gave lower estimates than the present study. Thus, from the previous studies of incidence [20,36], the lifetime probability of hip fracture from the age of 50 years was given as 3.6% and 12.7% in men and women, respectively [38], whilst the estimate from the present study was approximately 50% higher (5.6% and 18.5%, respectively).…”

“…This is true for both men and women. In the presence of a prior fracture, individuals are almost twice as likely to have a second or further fracture compared to those who are fracture free [35,36] ( Table 12). The increase in risk is even more marked for a vertebral fracture following a previous symptomatic spine fracture.…”

“…Thus, from the previous studies of incidence [20,36], the lifetime probability of hip fracture from the age of 50 years was given as 3.6% and 12.7% in men and women, respectively [38], whilst the estimate from the present study was approximately 50% higher (5.6% and 18.5%, respectively). Reasons for the discrepancies may be due to regional differences in hip fracture risk that have been reported for several countries [38-41] including France [20,34,36], errors of accuracy or secular changes in hip fracture (or mortality) risks [42].…”

“…A more recent national study provided essentially similar data but too broad age categories for our purpose [35]. National data were preferred to previous studies based on regional estimates, one from Picardy [36] and the MEDOS study in the regions of Paris and Toulouse [20] which were undertaken more than 20 years ago. In the Rhone-Alpes area, hip fracture incidence has been documented in women over the period 2001 to 2004 [37].…”

“…Severe kyphosis also gives rise to respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Although vertebral fractures that come to clinical attention are less costly than hip fractures, the morbidity from an acute fracture in the first year is as severe as that due to a hip fracture [35], and is associated with an increase in mortality [36]. They are also a very strong risk factor for a further fracture at the spine and elsewhere [11].…”