Healthcare Professionals Overlook The Relevance Of Fractures - Failing To Diagnose And Treat Underlying Osteoporosis

Clinical studies have shown that once a patient experiences an osteoporotic fracture, that patients risk of experiencing another fracture within 1 year is increased by 20%. Fractures also cause significant increases in morbidity and mortality

Crownsville, MD (PRWEB) May 12, 2005 -- On May 1st, Osteoporosis Awareness Month, the Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board sent Back Breaking News (attached) to 10,OOO healthcare providers emphasizing the need to improve fracture treatment. The U.S. Surgeon General estimates roughly 1.5 million people a year suffer a bone fracture related to osteoporosis.

"....physicians who diagnose and treat fractures are not evaluating patients with acute fractures for the presence of osteoporosis and are not prescribing calcium, vitamin D, or specific pharmacological therapy to reduce future fractures," said Dr. Marc Hochberg of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His comments were included in an article he co-authored for the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in August 2003.

The members of the Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board are committed to educating physicians and the lay public on how to assess, diagnose and treat osteoporosis. According to Dr. Michael Bolognese, the board's chairman, "the board is entering its sixth year of existence and the members are more dedicated then ever. Today we see more primary care physicians involved in osteoporosis patient discussions and treatment than we did six years ago. However, fracture patients remain under-diagnosed and under-treated to prevent future fractures."

A recent analysis of the Pennsylvania (PACE) Medicare drug benefit program from 1994 to 2000 supports this lack of attention to fractures. (American Journal of Medicine, October 2003) Over the 6 year study period 21,000 patients developed either a hip or wrist fracture. Forty nine (49) percent of the 21,000 had a prior fracture.

Over time there was a slight increase in therapeutic intervention after fracture, but by the study end only 1 out of 5 patients were taking an osteoporosis medication in the six months following fracture. According to author Dr. Daniel Solomon, "It appears that many doctors and patients do not recognize that fracture is a key event that should alert us to the presence of osteoporosis, a condition with very effective treatment options."

To curb the osteoporosis "epidemic," doctors should order bone density scans for older Americans who suffer bone fractures. The bone mineral density test is a painless scan in which patients lie on a table and are scanned by a machine that measures spine and hip bone density. It takes about five to ten minutes and involves a very small amount of radiation. The National Osteoporosis Foundation provides these clear guidelines for physicians ordering a bone mineral density (BMD) test:

BMD testing should be performed on:

1. All women aged 65 and older regardless of risk factors.

2. Younger postmenopausal women with one or more risk factors (other than being white, postmenopausal, and female).

3. Postmenopausal women who have suffered fractures (to confirm diagnosis and determine disease severity)

Women over 50 years of age who suffer a bone fracture should request that their physicians order a bone mineral density test to determine if they have osteoporosis.

Note to Media: The members of the Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board (see complete list below) will be available for media interviews during the month of May. Call 410-923-6591 to schedule an interview. Visit their website to see the entire issue of Back Breaking News and additional information, www.midatlanticosteo.org.

About Us: The principal mission of the MAOB is to change this perception by improving the standard of care provided by healthcare professionals throughout the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia; simultaneously enhancing public awareness.

Established in 1999, the MAOB is a non-profit Maryland based 501(C)3 corporation comprised of specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. These clinical experts represent various fields of medicine ranging from rheumatology to obstetrics and gynecology. To date, the MAOB has sponsored and conducted clinical trials, which have gained them both national and international recognition. Their commitment to the medical community is demonstrated through the provision of free Continuing Medical Education activities available in print and lecture format to over 15,000 physicians. In addition, the MAOB has improved public consciousness by developing Womens Osteoporosis Educational Programs, whereupon 1,000s of free bone density heel scans were provided.

Contact Info: Contact: Dr. Michael Bolognese

Phone: 410-923-6591

Alternate Phone Number: 703-725-7390

Email: bolognese.m@midatlanticosteo.org

URL: www.midatlanticosteo.org

Additional:

Company: Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board

Country: United States

Contact: Dr. Michael Bolognese

Website: www.midatlanticosteo.org

Bus E-Mail: bolognese.m@midatlanticosteo.org

Phone: 410-923-6591

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