Direct and indirect costs of non-vertebral fracture patients with osteoporosis in the US

The burden of second hip fractures: provincial surgical hospitalizations over 15 years

BACKGROUND

Second hip fractures account for up to 15% of all hip fractures. We sought to determine if the proportion of hip fracture surgeries for second hip fracture changed over time in terms of patient and fracture characteristics.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients older than 60 years hospitalized for hip fracture surgery between 1990 and 2005 in British Columbia. We studied the proportion of surgeries for second hip fracture among all hip fracture surgeries. Linear regression tested for trends across fiscal years for women and men.

RESULTS

We obtained 46 341 patient records. Second hip fracture accounted for 8.3% of hip fracture surgeries. For women the proportion of second hip fracture surgeries increased linearly from 4% to 13% with each age decade (p = 0.001) and across fiscal years (p = 0.002). In men the proportion of second hip fracture surgeries was 5% for each age decade between the ages of 60 and 90 years across fiscal years, increasing to 8% for men older than 90 years across fiscal years (p = 0.20). These sex-specific trends were similar for both pertrochanteric and transcervical fracture types.

CONCLUSION

Second hip fracture surgeries account for an increasing proportion of hip fracture surgeries and may require more health care resources to minimize poorer reported outcomes. Future research should determine whether more health care resources are required to manage these patients and optimize their outcomes.

The impact of fragility fractures on work and characteristics associated with time to return to work

We examined the impact of fragility fractures on the work outcomes of employed patients. The majority successfully returned to their previous jobs in a short amount of time, and productivity loss at work was low. Our findings underscore the fast recovery rates of working fragility fracture patients.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of fragility fractures on the work outcomes of patients who were employed at the time of their fracture.

METHODS

A self-report anonymous survey was mailed to fragility fracture patients over 50 who were screened as part of the quality assurance programs of fracture clinics across 35 hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Measures of return to work (RTW), at-work productivity loss (Work Limitations Questionnaire), and sociodemographic, fracture-related, and job characteristics were included in the survey. Kaplan-Meier estimates of the cumulative proportion of patients still off work were computed. Factors associated with RTW time following a fragility fracture were examined using Cox proportional hazards modeling.

RESULTS

Of 275 participants, 242 (88 %) returned to work. Of these, the median RTW time was 20.5 days. About 86 % returned to the same job, duties, and hours as before their injury. Among full-time workers, the median number of lost hours due to presenteeism was 2.9 h (Q1-Q3 0.4-8.1 h). The median cost of presenteeism was $75.30 based on the month prior to survey completion. In multivariable analyses, female gender, needing surgery, and medium/heavy work requirements were associated with longer RTW time. Earlier RTW time was associated with elbow fracture and feeling completely better at time of survey completion.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of fragility fracture patients successfully returned to their previous jobs in a short amount of time, and productivity loss at work was low. Our findings underscore their fast recovery rates and give reason for optimism regarding the resilience of this population.

Areal and volumetric bone mineral density and risk of multiple types of fracture in older men

Although many studies have examined the association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in older men, none have simultaneously studied the relationship between multiple BMD sites and risk of different types of fractures. Using data from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study, we evaluated the association between areal BMD (aBMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and volumetric BMD (vBMD) by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measurements, and different types of fractures during an average of 9.7years of follow-up. Men answered questionnaires about fractures every 4months (>97% completions). Fractures were confirmed by centralized review of radiographic reports; pathological fractures were excluded. Risk of fractures was assessed at the hip, spine, wrist, shoulder, rib/chest/sternum, ankle/foot/toe, arm, hand/finger, leg, pelvis/coccyx, skull/face and any non-spine fracture. Age and race adjusted Cox proportional-hazards modeling was used to assess the risk of fracture in 3301 older men with both aBMD (at the femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine) and vBMD (at the trabecular spine and FN, and cortical FN) measurements, with hazard ratios (HRs) expressed per standard deviation (SD) decrease. Lower FN and spine aBMD were associated with an increased risk of fracture at the hip, spine, wrist, shoulder, rib/chest/sternum, arm, and any non-spine fracture (statistically significant HRs per SD decrease ranged from 1.24-3.57). Lower trabecular spine and FN vBMD were associated with increased risk of most fractures with statistically significant HRs ranging between 1.27 and 3.69. There was a statistically significant association between FN cortical vBMD and fracture risk at the hip (HR=1.55) and spine sites (HR=1.26), but no association at other fracture sites. In summary, both lower aBMD and vBMD were associated with increased fracture risk. The stronger associations observed for trabecular vBMD than cortical vBMD may reflect the greater metabolic activity of the trabecular compartment.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorder that is characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue. Fractures of the proximal femur, the vertebrae and the distal radius are the most frequent osteoporotic fractures, although most fractures in the elderly are probably at least partly related to bone fragility. The incidence of fractures varies greatly by country, but on average up to 50% of women >50 years of age are at risk of fractures. Fractures severely affect the quality of life of an individual and are becoming a major public health problem owing to the ageing population. Postmenopausal osteoporosis, resulting from oestrogen deficiency, is the most common type of osteoporosis. Oestrogen deficiency results in an increase in bone turnover owing to effects on all types of bone cells. The imbalance in bone formation and resorption has effects on trabecular bone (loss of connectivity) and cortical bone (cortical thinning and porosity). Osteoporosis is diagnosed using bone density measurements of the lumbar spine and proximal femur. Preventive strategies to improve bone health include diet, exercise and abstaining from smoking. Fractures may be prevented by reducing falls in high-risk populations. Several drugs are licensed to reduce fracture risk by slowing down bone resorption (such as bisphosphonates and denosumab) or by stimulating bone formation (such as teriparatide). Improved understanding of the cellular basis for osteoporosis has resulted in new drugs targeted to key pathways, which are under development.

The silent war of CMV in aging and HIV infection

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV), the prototypical β-herpervirus, is a widespread pathogen that establishes a lifelong latent infection in myeloid progenitor, and possibly other cells as well. Although immunocompetent individuals show mild or no symptoms despite periodic reactivation during myeloid cell differentiation, CMV is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in older adults and in persons chronically infected with HIV. Indeed, in these individuals, reactivation of CMV can cause serious complications. This review will focus of the effects of CMV during aging and HIV/AIDS, with particular attention to the cellular immunity and age-related pathology outcomes from this persistent infection. The impact of the long-term chronic exposure to CMV antigens on the expansion of CD8 T cells with features of replicative senescence will be highlighted.

Hospitalizations for osteoporosis-related fractures: Economic costs and clinical outcomes

Background

Osteoporotic fractures frequently require inpatient care, and are associated with elevated risks of morbidity, mortality, and re-hospitalization. A comprehensive evaluation of healthcare costs, resource utilization, and outcomes associated with osteoporosis (OP)-related fractures treated in US hospitals was undertaken.

Methods

A retrospective analysis using the Premier Perspective Database (2010 − 2013) was conducted. Study population comprised patients aged ≥ 50 years hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of a closed or pathologic fracture commonly associated with OP; the first qualifying hospitalization was designated the “index admission”. Patients with evidence of major trauma, malignancy, or other non-OP conditions that may lead to pathologic fracture during the index admission were excluded. Study measures included healthcare costs (in 2013 USD), length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) use, and mortality during the index admission, as well as 60-day fracture-related readmission.

Results

A total of 268,477 patients were admitted to hospital (n = 548 hospitals) with a principal diagnosis of an OP-related fracture; mean (SD) age was 78 (11) years, 75% were female, 69% had ≥ 2 comorbidities, and 82% of patients had a diagnostic code for accidental fall. Among all OP-related fracture admissions, mean (95% CI) hospital cost was $12,839 (12,784–12,893) and LOS was 5.1 (5.1–5.1) days; during the admission, ICU use was 7.4% (7.3–7.5) and mortality was 1.5% (1.5–1.6), and during the 60-day post-discharge period, fracture-related readmission was 2.3% (2.2–2.4).

Conclusions

Hospital costs associated with the acute treatment of OP-related fractures are substantial, especially among patients with fractures of the hip, femur, and spine. Among patients with vertebral fractures—the second most common reason for admission—mortality and ICU use were notably high, and costs and LOS were higher than among those with non-vertebral fractures (excluding hip). Interventions that are effective in reducing fracture risk have the potential to yield substantial cost savings.

•

Cost of fractures requiring inpatient care was evaluated using discharge records from > 250,000 patients at > 500 hospitals

•

Cost of fractures averaged ~$13,000/patient, which was largely attributable to room/board, supplies, and operating room

•

Femoral fractures (5%), while less frequent than hip fractures (50%), had highest cost ($16,423) and longest LOS (5.8 days)

•

Cost of vertebral fractures, 2nd most common reason for admission (14%), was higher vs. non-vertebral fractures (excl. hip)

•

Burden of fractures is high when in-hospital treatment is required, especially for fractures of hip and femur

Emerging role of alpha-lipoic acid in the prevention and treatment of bone loss

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease associated with decreased bone density that afflicts millions of people worldwide. Current pharmacological treatments are limited, costly, and linked to several negative side effects. These factors are driving current interest in the clinical use of naturally occurring bioactive compounds to mitigate bone loss. Alpha-lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant and essential member of mitochondrial dehydrogenases, has shown considerable promise as an antiosteoclastogenic agent due to its potent reactive oxygen species-scavenging capabilities along with a proven clinical safety record. Collectively, current data indicate that alpha-lipoic acid protects from bone loss via a 2-pronged mechanism involving inhibition of osteoclastogenic reactive oxygen species generation and upregulation of redox gene expression.

Predicting imminent risk for fracture in patients aged 50 or older with osteoporosis using US claims data

Patient characteristics contributing to imminent risk for fracture, defined as risk of near-term fracture within the next 12 to 24 months, have not been well defined. In patients without recent fracture, we identified factors predicting imminent risk for vertebral/nonvertebral fracture, including falls, age, comorbidities, and other potential fall risk factors.

PURPOSE

Several factors contribute to long-term fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis, including age, bone mineral density, and fracture history. Some patients may be at imminent risk for fracture, defined here as a risk of near-term fracture within 12-24 months. Many patient characteristics contributing to imminent risk for fracture have not been well defined. This case-control study used US commercial and Medicare supplemental insured data for women and men without recent fracture to identify factors associated with imminent risk for fracture.

METHODS

Patients included were aged ≥50 with osteoporosis, had a vertebral or nonvertebral fracture claim (index date; fracture group) or no fracture claim (control group) from January 1, 2006, to September 30, 2012, continuously enrolled and without fracture in the 24 months before index. Potential risk factors during the period before fracture were assessed.

RESULTS

Using data from 12 months before fracture, factors significantly associated with imminent risk for fracture were previous falls, older age, poorer health status, specific comorbidities (psychosis, Alzheimer's disease, central nervous system disease), and other fall risk factors (wheelchair use, psychoactive medication use, mobility impairment). Similar findings were observed with data from 24 months before fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with osteoporosis and no recent fracture, falls, older age, poorer health status, comorbidities, and other potential fall risk factors were predictive of imminent risk for fracture. Identification of factors associated with imminent risk for vertebral/nonvertebral fracture may help identify and risk stratify those patients most in need of immediate and appropriate treatment to decrease fracture risk.

Epidemiology of Pelvic Fractures in Germany: Considerably High Incidence Rates among Older People

Epidemiological data about pelvic fractures are limited. Until today, most studies only analyzed inpatient data. The purpose of this study was to estimate incidence rates of pelvic fractures in the German population aged 60 years or older, based on outpatient and inpatient data. We conducted a retrospective population-based observational study based on routine data from a large health insurance company in Germany. Age and sex-specific incidence rates of first fractures between 2008 and 2011 were calculated. We also standardized incidence rates with respect to age and sex in the German population. Multiple Poisson regression models were used to evaluate the association between the risk of first pelvic fracture as outcome and sex, age, calendar year and region as independent variables. The total number of patients with a first pelvic fracture corresponded to 8,041 and during the study period 5,978 insured persons needed inpatient treatment. Overall, the standardized incidence rate of all first pelvic fractures was 22.4 [95% CI 22.0-22.9] per 10,000 person-years, and the standardized incidence rate of inpatient treated fractures 16.5 [16.1-16.9]. Our adjusted regression analysis confirmed a significant sex (RR 2.38 [2.23-2.55], p < 0.001, men as reference) and age effect (higher risk with increasing age, p < 0.001) on first fracture risk. We found a slight association between calendar year (higher risk in later years compared to 2008, p = 0.0162) and first fracture risk and a further significant association with region (RR 0.92 [0.87-0.98], p = 0.006, Westfalen-Lippe as reference). The observed incidences are considerably higher than incidences described in the international literature, even if only inpatient treated pelvic fractures are regarded. Besides which, non-inclusion of outpatient data means that a relevant proportion of pelvic fractures are not taken into account. Prevention of low energy trauma among older people remains an important issue.

Lifestyle and Genetic Predictors of Stiffness Index in Community-dwelling Elderly Korean Men and Women

PURPOSE

Differing lifestyle, nutritional, and genetic factors may lead to a differing stiffness index (SI) determined by quantitative ultrasound in elderly men and women. The purpose of this study was to determine SI and the gender-specific factors associated with low SI in a Korean elderly cohort.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study identifying the gender-specific factors related to SI in 252 men and women aged 65 years and greater from local senior centers in Seoul, Korea between January and February 2009.

RESULTS

The mean SI of elderly men was significantly higher than that of the women's. A multiple regression analysis reveals that age, nutritional status, and physical activity were predictive factors of lower SI in men, whereas age, alcohol consumption, educational level, and genetic polymorphism were predictive factors for elderly women.

CONCLUSIONS

Low SI was common in both elderly men and women. We found gender differences in factors linked to low SI. In multiple regression analysis, nutritional status and physical activity were more important factors in men, whereas alcohol consumption, educational level, and genetic polymorphism were significant factors predicting low SI in women. Gender-specific modifiable risk factors associated with low SI should be considered when developing osteoporosis prevention programs for the elderly.

Epidemiology and management of osteoporosis in the People's Republic of China: current perspectives

With the progressive aging of the population, osteoporosis has gradually grown into a global health problem for men and women aged 50 years and older because of its consequences in terms of disabilities and fragility fractures. This is especially true in the People's Republic of China, which has the largest population and an increasing proportion of elderly people, as osteoporosis has become a serious challenge to the Chinese government, society, and family. Apart from the fact that all osteoporotic fractures can increase the patient's morbidity, they can also result in fractures of the hip and vertebrae, which are associated with a significantly higher mortality. The cost of osteoporotic fractures, moreover, is a heavy burden on families, society, and even the country, which is likely to increase in the future due, in part, to the improvement in average life expectancy. Therefore, understanding the epidemiology of osteoporosis is essential and is significant for developing strategies to help reduce this problem. In this review, we will summarize the epidemiology of osteoporosis in the People's Republic of China, including the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures, focusing on preventive methods and the management of osteoporosis, which consist of basic measures and pharmacological treatments.

Productivity loss and indirect costs associated with cardiovascular events and related clinical procedures

Background

The high acute costs of cardiovascular disease and acute cardiovascular events are well established, particularly in terms of direct medical costs. The costs associated with lost work productivity have been described in a broad sense, but little is known about workplace absenteeism or short term disability costs among high cardiovascular risk patients. The objective of this study was to quantify workplace absenteeism (WA) and short-term disability (STD) hours and costs associated with cardiovascular events and related clinical procedures (CVERP) in United States employees with high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

Medical, WA and/or STD data from the Truven Health MarketScan® Research Databases were used to select full-time employees aged 18–64 with hyperlipidemia during 2002–2011. Two cohorts (with and without CVERP) were created and screened for medical, drug, WA, and STD eligibility. The CVERP cohort was matched with a non-CVERP cohort using propensity score matching. Work loss hours and indirect costs were calculated for patients with and without CVERP and by CVERP type. Wages were based on the 2013 age-, gender-, and geographic region-adjusted wage rate from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Results

A total of 5,808 WA-eligible, 21,006 STD-eligible, and 3,362 combined WA and STD eligible patients with CVERP were well matched to patients without CVERP, creating three cohorts of patients with CVERP and three cohorts of patients without CVERP. Demographics were similar across cohorts (mean age 52.2-53.1 years, male 81.3-86.8 %). During the first month of follow-up, patients with CVERP had more WA/STD-related hours lost compared with patients without CVERP (WA-eligible: 23.4 more hours, STD-eligible: 51.7 more hours, WA and STD-eligible: 56.3 more hours) (p < 0.001). Corresponding costs were $683, $895, and $1,119 higher, respectively (p < 0.001). Differences narrowed with longer follow-up. In the first month and year of follow-up, patients with coronary artery bypass graft experienced the highest WA/STD-related hours lost and costs compared with patients with other CVERP.

Conclusions

CVERP were associated with substantial work loss and indirect costs. Prevention or reduction of CVERP could result in WA and STD-related cost savings for employers.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0925-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Inpatient cost of treating osteoporotic fractures in mainland China: a descriptive analysis

Purpose

The objective of this study was to provide new estimates on the per-admission inpatient hospital cost and per-admission length of stay (LOS) for osteoporosis-related fractures in mainland China.

Materials and methods

Data for inpatient hospitalization associated with at least one osteoporosis-related fracture were obtained from the nationwide China Health Insurance Research Association and were analyzed post hoc. Patients’ data were included if the patients were ≥50 years old and diagnosed with osteoporosis and pathologic fracture, or osteoporosis therapy and fragility fracture by an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) code designation, between 2008 and 2010.

Results

The analysis included 830 patients (female: 77.3%; mean age: 73.4±9.8 years). The medians of the per-admission LOS and inpatient costs were 19 days and ¥18,587, respectively. Longer LOS and higher costs per admission were associated with older patients (≥70 years) compared to younger patients (<70 years). Hip fracture had the longest median LOS (22 days) and highest median cost (¥32,594) among all fracture sites. The per-hospitalization episode and per-day costs of osteoporotic fracture increased rapidly (60% and 89%, respectively) between 2008 and 2010.

Conclusion

The analysis showed that hospitalization cost increases were associated with increasing per-day hospitalization costs. The proportion of the costs reimbursed by health insurances increased, while the mean absolute patient copayment amounts decreased. The incidence and prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures may rise rapidly due to the projected growth of the aged population in mainland China. Therefore, the combination of greater anticipated total fractures and rising hospital costs may lead to a tremendously increased economic burden in the future.

The clinical epidemiology of male osteoporosis: a review of the recent literature

Osteoporosis, a musculoskeletal disease characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of fragility fractures, is now recognized as an important public health problem in men. Osteoporotic fractures, particularly of the hip, result in significant morbidity and mortality in men and lead to considerable societal costs. Many national and international organizations now address screening and treatment for men in their osteoporosis clinical guidelines. However, male osteoporosis remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of recent findings in male osteoporosis, including pathophysiology, epidemiology, and incidence and burden of fracture, and discuss current knowledge about the evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis in males. In particular, clinical practice guidelines, fracture risk assessment, and evidence of treatment effectiveness in men are addressed.

Posthospital Discharge Medical Care Costs and Family Burden Associated with Osteoporotic Fracture Patients in China from 2011 to 2013

Objectives. This study collected and evaluated data on the costs of outpatient medical care and family burden associated with osteoporosis-related fracture rehabilitation following hospital discharge in China. Materials and Methods. Data were collected using a patient questionnaire from osteoporosis-related fracture patients (N = 123) who aged 50 years and older who were discharged between January 2011 and January 2013 from 3 large hospitals in China. The survey captured posthospital discharge direct medical costs, indirect medical costs, lost work time for caregivers, and patient ambulatory status. Results. Hip fracture was the most frequent fracture site (62.6%), followed by vertebral fracture (34.2%). The mean direct medical care costs per patient totaled 3,910¥, while mean indirect medical costs totaled 743¥. Lost work time for unpaid family caregivers was 16.4 days, resulting in an average lost income of 3,233¥. The average posthospital direct medical cost, indirect medical cost, and caregiver lost income associated with a fracture patient totaled 7,886¥. Patients' ambulatory status was negatively impacted following fracture. Conclusions. Significant time and cost of care are placed on patients and caregivers during rehabilitation after discharge for osteoporotic fracture. It is important to evaluate the role and responsibility for creating the growing and inequitable burden placed on patients and caregivers following osteoporotic fracture.

Characteristics of hip fracture patients with and without muscle atrophy/weakness: predictors of negative economic outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Hip fractures have negative humanistic and economic consequences. Predictors and sub-groups of negative post-fracture outcomes (high costs and extensive healthcare utilization) were identified in patients with and without muscle atrophy/weakness (MAW).

METHODS

Truven Health MarketScan data identified patients ≥50 years old with inpatient hospitalizations for hip fracture. Patients had ≥12 months of continuous healthcare insurance prior to and following index hospitalization and no hip fracture diagnoses between 7 days and 1 year prior to admission. Predictors and sub-groups of negative outcomes were identified via multiple logistic regression analyses and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

Post-fracture 1-year all-cause healthcare costs (USD$31,430) were higher than costs for the prior year ($18,091; p < 0.0001). Patients with MAW had greater post-fracture healthcare utilization and costs than those without MAW (p < 0.05). Greater post-fracture costs were associated with a higher number of prior hospitalizations and emergency room visits, length of index hospitalization, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and discharge status; diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or osteoporosis; and prior use of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, opioids, and oral corticosteroids (all p < 0.009). High-cost patient sub-groups included those with MAW and high CCI scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative post-fracture outcomes were associated with MAW vs no MAW, prior hospitalizations, comorbidities, and medications.

A novel ultrasound methodology for estimating spine mineral density

We investigated the possible clinical feasibility and accuracy of an innovative ultrasound (US) method for diagnosis of osteoporosis of the spine. A total of 342 female patients (aged 51-60 y) underwent spinal dual X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal echographic scanning of the lumbar spine. Recruited patients were subdivided into a reference database used for US spectral model construction and a study population for repeatability and accuracy evaluation. US images and radiofrequency signals were analyzed via a new fully automatic algorithm that performed a series of spectral and statistical analyses, providing a novel diagnostic parameter called the osteoporosis score (O.S.). If dual X-ray absorptiometry is assumed to be the gold standard reference, the accuracy of O.S.-based diagnoses was 91.1%, with k = 0.859 (p < 0.0001). Significant correlations were also found between O.S.-estimated bone mineral densities and corresponding dual X-ray absorptiometry values, with r(2) values up to 0.73 and a root mean square error of 6.3%-9.3%. The results obtained suggest that the proposed method has the potential for future routine application in US-based diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Pre-hospital dietary intake correlates with muscle mass at the time of fracture in older hip-fractured patients

Background: Failure to meet an adequate dietary intake is involved in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and osteoporosis, which in turn increase the risk for falls and fractures, respectively. Older people with hip fracture are often protein-malnourished at hospitalization. Whether low protein-energy intake is associated with muscle atrophy in hip-fractured patients is presently unknown. This information is necessary for the development of novel strategies to manage this especially vulnerable patient population. The aim of this study was, therefore, to explore the relationship between dietary intake and muscle mass in older hip-fractured patients.

Methods: Analyses were conducted in hip-fractured elderly admitted to an orthopedic and trauma surgery ward (University Hospital). Muscle mass was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis within 24 h from admission. Dietary information was collected via 24-h dietary recall and nutrient intake calculated by a nutrition software.

Results: Among 62 hip-fractured patients (mean age 84.6 ± 7.6 years, 84% women), the average energy intake was 929.2 ± 170.3 Kcal day⁻¹, with higher values reported by men (1.046.8 ± 231.4 Kcal day⁻¹) relative to women (906.5 ± 148.3 Kcal day⁻¹; p = 0.01). Absolute and normalized protein intake was 50.0 ± 13.5 g day⁻¹ and 0.88 ± 0.27 g kg (body weight)^–1 day^–1, respectively, with no gender differences. A positive correlation was determined between total energy intake and muscle mass (r = 0.384; p = 0.003). Similarly, protein and leucine consumption was positively correlated with muscle mass (r = 0.367 and 0.311, respectively; p = 0.005 for both).

Conclusion: A low intake of calories, protein, and leucine is associated with reduced muscle mass in hip-fractured elderly. Given the relevance of sarcopenia as a risk factor for adverse outcomes in this patient population, our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive dietary assessment for the detection of nutritional deficits predisposing to or aggravating muscle atrophy.

A knowledge translation tool improved osteoporosis disease management in primary care: an interrupted time series analysis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis affects over 200 million people worldwide at a high cost to healthcare systems, yet gaps in management still exist. In response, we developed a multi-component osteoporosis knowledge translation (Op-KT) tool involving a patient-initiated risk assessment questionnaire (RAQ), which generates individualized best practice recommendations for physicians and customized education for patients at the point of care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Op-KT tool for appropriate disease management by physicians.

METHODS

The Op-KT tool was evaluated using an interrupted time series design. This involved multiple assessments of the outcomes 12 months before (baseline) and 12 months after tool implementation (52 data points in total). Inclusion criteria were family physicians and their patients at risk for osteoporosis (women aged ≥ 50 years, men aged ≥ 65 years). Primary outcomes were the initiation of appropriate osteoporosis screening and treatment. Analyses included segmented linear regression modeling and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The Op-KT tool was implemented in three family practices in Ontario, Canada representing 5 family physicians with 2840 age eligible patients (mean age 67 years; 76% women). Time series regression models showed an overall increase from baseline in the initiation of screening (3.4%; P < 0.001), any osteoporosis medications (0.5%; P = 0.006), and calcium or vitamin D (1.2%; P = 0.001). Improvements were also observed at site level for all the three sites considered, but these results varied across the sites. Of 351 patients who completed the RAQ unprompted (mean age 64 years, 77% women), the mean time for completing the RAQ was 3.43 minutes, and 56% had any disease management addressed by their physician. Study limitations included the inherent susceptibility of our design compared with a randomized trial.

CONCLUSIONS

The multicomponent Op-KT tool significantly increased osteoporosis investigations in three family practices, and highlights its potential to facilitate patient self-management. Next steps include wider implementation and evaluation of the tool in primary care.

The economic burden of fracture patients with osteoporosis in western China

To study the cost of osteoporotic fracture in China, we performed a prospective study and compared the costs of the disease in referral patients with fractures in three of the most common sites. Our results indicated that the economic burden of osteoporotic fracture to both Chinese patients and the nation is heavy.

INTRODUCTION

This paper aims to study the cost of osteoporotic fracture in China and thus to provide essential information about the burden of this disease to individuals and society.

METHODS

This prospective observational data collection study assessed the cost related to hip, vertebral, and wrist fracture 1 year after the fracture based on a patient sample consisting of 938 men and women. Information was collected using patient records, registry sources, and patient interviews. Both direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect non-medical costs were considered.

RESULTS

The annual total costs were highest in hip fracture patients (renminbi, RMB 27,283 or USD 4,330, with confidence interval (RMB 25715, 28851)), followed by patients with vertebral fracture (RMB 21,474 or USD 3,409, with confidence interval (RMB 20082, 22866)) and wrist fracture (RMB 8,828 or USD 1,401, with confidence interval (RMB 7829, 9827)). The direct medical care costs averaged approximately RMB 17,007 per year per patient, of which inpatient costs, drugs, and investigations accounted for the majority of the costs. Nonmedical direct costs were much less compared to direct healthcare costs and averaged approximately RMB 1,846.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the economic burden of osteoporotic fracture to both Chinese patients and China was heavy, and the proportion of the costs in China demonstrated many similar features and some significant differences compared to other countries.

Epidemiology of fragility fractures

As the world population of older adults-in particular those over age 85-increases, the incidence of fragility fractures will also increase. It is predicted that the worldwide incidence of hip fractures will grow to 6.3 million yearly by 2050. Fractures result in significant financial and personal costs. Older adults who sustain fractures are at risk for functional decline and mortality, both as a function of fractures and their complications and of the frailty of the patients who sustain fractures. Identifying individuals at high risk provides an opportunity for both primary and secondary prevention.

The prevention of postmenopausal osteoporotic fractures: results of the Health Technology Assessment of a new antiosteoporotic drug

OBJECTIVE

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) approach was applied to denosumab in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women.

METHOD

Epidemiological, clinical, technical, economic, organizational, and ethical aspects were considered. Medical electronic databases were accessed to evaluate osteoporosis epidemiology and therapeutical approaches. A budget impact and a cost-effectiveness analyses were performed to assess economic implications. Clinical benefits and patient needs were considered with respect to organizational and ethical evaluation.

RESULTS

In Italy around four millions women are affected by osteoporosis and have a higher risk for fractures with 70,000 women being hospitalized every year. Bisphosphonates and strontium ranelate are recommended as first line treatment for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures. Denosumab is effective in reducing vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip/femoral fractures with an advantage of being administered subcutaneously every six months. The budget impact analysis estimated a reduction in costs for the National Health Service with the introduction of denosumab. Furthermore, the economic analysis demonstrated that denosumab is cost-effective in comparison to oral bisphosphonates and strontium ranelate. Denosumab can be administered in outpatients by involving General Practitioners in the management. Ethical evaluation is positive because of its efficacy and compliance.

CONCLUSION

Denosumab could add value in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures.

A systematic review of models used in cost-effectiveness analyses of preventing osteoporotic fractures

This review was aimed at the evolution of health economic models used in evaluations of clinical approaches aimed at preventing osteoporotic fractures. Models have improved, with medical continuance becoming increasingly recognized as a contributor to health and economic outcomes, as well as advancements in epidemiological data. Model-based health economic evaluation studies are increasingly used to investigate the cost-effectiveness of osteoporotic fracture preventions and treatments. The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the evolution of health economic models used in the evaluation of osteoporotic fracture preventions. Electronic searches within MEDLINE and EMBASE were carried out using a predefined search strategy. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to select relevant studies. References listed of included studies were searched to identify any potential study that was not captured in our electronic search. Data on country, interventions, type of fracture prevention, evaluation perspective, type of model, time horizon, fracture sites, expressed costs, types of costs included, and effectiveness measurement were extracted. Seventy-four models were described in 104 publications, of which 69% were European. Earlier models focused mainly on hip, vertebral, and wrist fracture, but later models included multiple fracture sites (humerus, pelvis, tibia, and other fractures). Modeling techniques have evolved from simple decision trees, through deterministic Markov processes to individual patient simulation models accounting for uncertainty in multiple parameters. Treatment continuance has been increasingly taken into account in the models in the last decade. Models have evolved in their complexity and emphasis, with medical continuance becoming increasingly recognized as a contributor to health and economic outcomes. This evolution may be driven in part by the desire to capture all the important differentiating characteristics of medications under scrutiny, as well as the advancement in epidemiological data relevant to osteoporosis fractures.

Substantial under-treatment among women diagnosed with osteoporosis in a US managed-care population: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Multiple therapies are approved for the treatment of osteoporosis (OP), but many patients with osteoporosis may not initiate treatment upon osteoporosis diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize initiation of pharmacologic OP treatment among women within 1 year of OP diagnosis in a US managed care population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The retrospective cohort study included women aged ≥55 years with a claims-documented diagnosis of OP who were naïve to OP medications prior to OP diagnosis (index date) during 2001-2010. Continuous enrollment for 12 months before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the index date was required. Patients who received OP medications but did not have an OP diagnosis were excluded. Differences in baseline characteristics between the treated and untreated cohorts were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum (continuous variables) and chi-square tests (categorical variables).

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

During the follow-up period, the percentages of patients treated with bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid) and non-bisphosphonates (calcitonin, raloxifene, teriparatide) were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 65,344 patients, mean age 65.7 years, met study inclusion exclusion criteria. During the follow-up period, 42,033 patients (64.3%) received no OP medication and 23,311 patients (35.7%) received OP treatment. A total of 20,200 patients (30.9% of total study population) received bisphosphonates and 3111 (4.8% of total) patients received non-bisphosphonates as their index medication. At baseline, untreated patients were slightly older and had higher rates of hypertension, chronic inflammatory joint disease, diabetes mellitus, and gastrointestinal events (p ≤ 0.01) compared with treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women aged ≥55 years in a US managed-care population, 64.3% received no pharmacologic treatment within 1 year after being diagnosed with OP. The authors were not able to determine if untreated patients did not receive or did not fill a prescription. Further research is needed to understand the barriers to OP treatment and reasons for non-treatment.

Public health impact of osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the public health impact of osteoporosis including the magnitude of the problem and important consequences of osteoporotic fractures.

METHODS

Literature review of key references selected by author.

RESULTS

Current demographic trends leading to an increased number of individuals surviving past age 65 will result in an increased number of osteoporotic fractures. Important consequences of osteoporotic fractures include an increased mortality that for hip fractures extends to 10 years after the fracture. Increased mortality risk also extends to major and minor fractures, especially, in those over 75 years. Hip and vertebral fractures have important functional consequences and reductions in quality of life. The economic impact of osteoporotic fractures is large and growing. Significant health care resources are required for all fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

To alleviate the public and private burden of osteoporosis related fractures, assessment of risk and reduction of individual risk is critical.

Pharmacogenetics of osteoporosis: towards novel theranostics for personalized medicine?

Osteoporosis is a complex multifactorial bone disorder with a strong genetic basis. It is the most common, severe, progressive skeletal illness that has been increasing, particularly in developed countries. Osteoporosis will no doubt constitute a serious clinical burden in healthcare management in the coming decades. The genetics of osteoporosis should be analyzed from both the disease susceptibility and the pharmacogenetic treatment perspectives. The former has been widely studied and discussed, while the latter still requires much more information and research. This article provides a synthesis of the literature on the genetics of osteoporosis and an update on progress made in pharmacogenetics of osteoporosis in recent years, specifically regarding the new molecular targets for antiresorptive drugs. In-depth translation of osteoporosis pharmacogenetics approaches to clinical practice demands a new vision grounded on the concept of "theranostics," that is, the integration of diagnostics for both disease susceptibility testing, as well as for prediction of health intervention outcomes. In essence, theranostics signals a broadening in the scope of inquiry in diagnostics medicine. The upcoming wave of theranostics medicine also suggests more distributed forms of science and knowledge production, both by experts and end-users of scientific products. Both the diagnosis and personalized treatment of osteoporosis could conceivably benefit from the emerging postgenomics field of theranostics.

Comparison of cost-effectiveness of vitamin D screening with that of universal supplementation in preventing falls in community-dwelling older adults

OBJECTIVES

To compare the cost-effectiveness of population screening for vitamin D insufficiency with that of universal vitamin D supplementation in community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

A Markov decision model simulating follow-up over a 36-month period. Published data were used to estimate values for the model, including costs (measured in 2011 U.S. dollars), utilities (measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)), and probabilities.

SETTING

Decision analysis simulation from a societal perspective.

PARTICIPANTS

Hypothetical cohort of community-dwelling women and men aged 65 to 80.

MEASUREMENTS

Net monetary benefit (NMB) was calculated by subtracting the incremental cost of the strategy from the product of incremental QALYs and willingness-to-pay threshold. A higher NMB indicates greater cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

In women aged 65 to 80, population screening was slightly more cost-effective than universal supplementation, with an incremental NMB of $224 compared with $189 (P < .001). Population screening in men was also more cost-effective than universal supplementation (incremental NMB $298 vs $260, P < .001). Results differed according to age group. In those aged 65, population screening had cost-effectiveness similar to that of universal supplementation in women ($59 vs $71) and men ($114 vs $120), whereas in those aged 80, population screening was substantially more cost-effective than universal supplementation in women ($563 vs $428) and men ($703 vs $571).

CONCLUSION

Population screening and universal supplementation for vitamin D insufficiency are cost-effective strategies in community-dwelling older women and men. In the oldest old, population screening may be more cost-effective than universal supplementation.

Direct healthcare costs for 5 years post-fracture in Canada: a long-term population-based assessment

High direct incremental healthcare costs post-fracture are seen in the first year, but total costs from a third-party healthcare payer perspective eventually fall below pre-fracture levels. We attribute this to higher mortality among fracture cases who are already the heaviest users of healthcare ("healthy survivor bias"). Economic analyses that do not account for the possibility of a long-term reduction in direct healthcare costs in the post-fracture population may systematically overestimate the total economic burden of fracture.

INTRODUCTION

High healthcare costs in the first 1-2 years after an osteoporotic fracture are well recognized, but long-term costs are uncertain. We evaluated incremental costs of non-traumatic fractures up to 5 years from a third-party healthcare payer perspective.

METHODS

A total of 16,198 incident fracture cases and 48,594 matched non-fracture controls were identified in the province of Manitoba, Canada (1997-2002). We calculated the difference in median direct healthcare costs for the year pre-fracture and 5 years post-fracture expressed in 2009 Canadian dollars with adjustment for expected age-related healthcare cost increases.

RESULTS

Incremental median costs for a hip fracture were highest in the first year ($25,306 in women, $21,396 in men), remaining above pre-fracture baseline to 5 years in women but falling below pre-fracture costs by 5 years in men. In those who survived 5 years following a hip fracture, incremental costs remained above pre-fracture costs at 5 years ($12,670 in women, $7,933 in men). Incremental costs were consistently increased for 5 years after spine fracture in women. Total incremental healthcare costs for all incident fractures combined showed a large increase over pre-fracture costs in the first year ($137 million in women, $57 million in men), but fell below pre-fracture costs within 3-4 years. Elevated total healthcare costs were seen at year 5 in women after wrist, humerus and spine fractures, but these were somewhat offset by decreases in total healthcare costs for other fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

High direct healthcare costs post-fracture are seen in the first year, but total costs eventually fall below pre-fracture levels. Among those who survive 5 years following a fracture, healthcare costs remain above pre-fracture levels.

Increased incidence of orthopedic fractures in cirrhotic patients: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible neuropsychiatric disorder in cirrhotic patients. The cognitive dysfunction and increased accidental falls in HE and osteodystrophy in cirrhotic patients may contribute to orthopedic fractures. This study investigated the fracture incidence and risk factors in cirrhotic patients with HE.

METHODS

In total, 3764 cirrhotic patients with HE were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database between 2000 and 2009. The fracture incidence of the HE patients was compared with that of 3764 age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched cirrhotic patients without HE and non-cirrhotic controls. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of fracture in the HE patients.

RESULTS

Cirrhotic patients with and without HE had comparable increased risks of fracture (p <0.05) and cumulative incidences of fracture than controls (log-rank p <0.001). The estimated fracture rates were 7.09% for the HE group, 7.72% for the cirrhosis without HE group, and 4.05% for the controls, during the 18-month follow-up. The HE group had a higher incidence rate of skull fractures (IRR=2.61, 95% CI 1.04-6.57), but a lower rate of upper limb fractures (IRR=0.45, 95% CI 0.29-0.70) than the cirrhosis without HE group. Alcoholism, heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease were associated with increased risk of fracture in HE patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Cirrhotic patients, with or without HE, are at an increased risk of orthopedic fractures. Skull fractures, rather than fractures in weight-bearing bones, are more frequently observed in HE patients, particularly those with comorbidities.

Health care costs of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures in Mexico

Different sources were used to estimate the 2010 health care costs of managing low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) plus caring fragility fractures in Mexico at 411 million USD. Figures are projected to rise 42 % by 2020. Preventive and timely interventions are required to decrease the financial burden of these entities.

INTRODUCTION

Osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures (FF) are a public health concern. The study purpose was to estimate the health care costs of these conditions in Mexico during 2010 and project them to 2015 and 2020.

METHODS

Prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was derived from international data. The Mexican version of FRAX® algorithm was used to assess risk for a major FF (hip, clinical spine, forearm, and proximal humerus) in osteopenic and osteoporotic population aged over 40 years. The estimates were applied to national demographic projections. Only direct medical costs composed by routine non-pharmacological management of osteopenia/osteoporosis besides the costs owing to medical care of major FF were considered into the analysis. Resource use for managing osteopenia/osteoporosis was defined from local sources (clinical practice guidelines, published literature, and expert opinion); unit costs were gathered from official lists. Costs for medical care of FF were based on diagnosis-related groups.

RESULTS

In population aged ≥40 years, prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in 2010 was 32.8 and 8 %, respectively. A total of 75,763 FF occurred that year. Costs of managing osteopenia and osteoporosis were 154.9 million USD, whereas medical costs due to FF reached 256.2 million USD. Therefore, the annual health care costs of these entities in 2010 were 411 million USD. Total costs will be 19.2 % higher in 2015, and by 2020, the figures will have increased by 41.7 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Low bone density entails substantial epidemiological and financial burden in Mexico, and their impact will grow considerably during the next years.

Direct medical resource utilization associated with osteoporosis-related nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women

The purposes of this study were to assess direct medical resource utilization related to the treatment of nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures within 1 year postfracture and to evaluate whether age impacts resource utilization. A previously-validated algorithm for physician claims databases identified 15,327 women aged 50 years or older with incident fracture at nonvertebral osteoporotic sites between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005. Administrative databases of the health services available to all residents in Quebec served to study fracture-related health resource utilization in the year after fracture. Data were linked by a unique personal identifier, creating a longitudinal cohort of all fracture cases for health resource utilization. The proportions of fractures treated by open reduction, closed reduction, immobilization or follow-up by an orthopedic surgeon (OS) were evaluated. The mean number of claims for consultation with an OS or other clinicians in inpatient and outpatient visits, the hospitalization rate and length of stay (LOS) were assessed. Hip/femur fractures represented the highest rate of resource utilization because the majority of them required surgery (91.1%) and hospitalization (94.5%) with a mean (median) LOS of 39.2 (31) days. However, other nonvertebral fracture types needed significant clinical care related to surgery (27.9%), follow-up consultation with an OS (77.6%), and hospitalization (27.3% of total LOS). Even pelvic fractures, which often do not require surgical treatment, commanded high resource utilization due to the high hospitalization rate (67.4%) with mean (median) LOS of 34.2 (26) days. Moreover, age was an important determinant of health resource utilization, being associated with an increased number of visits to other physicians, hospitalization, and length of hospitalization (LOS), admissions to long term care (LTC), and death. Osteoporosis-related fractures accounted for substantial healthcare resource utilization. With an aging population and increased prevalence of fractures, strategies for osteoporosis management need to be introduced to reduce the healthcare burden.

Estimating the excess costs for patients with incident fractures, prevalent fractures, and nonfracture osteoporosis

SUMMARY

Based on a population age 50+, significant excess costs relative to matched controls exist for patients with incident fractures that are similar in relative magnitude to other chronic diseases such as stroke or heart disease. Prevalent fractures also have significant excess costs that are similar in relative magnitude to asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION

Cost of illness studies for osteoporosis that only include incident fractures may ignore the long-term cost of prevalent fractures and primary preventive care. We estimated the excess costs for patients with incident fractures, prevalent fractures, and nonfracture osteoporosis relative to matched controls.

METHODS

Men and women age 50+ were selected from administrative records in the province of Manitoba, Canada for the fiscal year 2007-2008. Three types of cases were identified: (1) patients with incident fractures in the current year (2007-2008), (2) patients with prevalent fractures in previous years (1995-2007), and (3) nonfracture osteoporosis patients identified by specific pharmacotherapy or low bone mineral density. Excess resource utilization and costs were estimated by subtracting control means from case means.

RESULTS

Seventy-three percent of provincial population age 50+ (52 % of all men and 91 % of all women) were included (121,937 cases, 162,171 controls). There were 3,776 cases with incident fracture (1,273 men and 2,503 women), 43,406 cases with prevalent fractures (15,784 men and 27,622 women) and 74,755 nonfracture osteoporosis cases (7,705 men and 67,050 women). All incident fractures had significant excess costs. Incident hip fractures had the highest excess cost: men $44,963 (95 % CI: $38,498-51,428) and women $45,715 (95 % CI: $36,998-54,433). Prevalent fractures (other than miscellaneous or wrist fractures) also had significant excess costs. No significant excess costs existed for nonfracture osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION

Significant excess costs exist for patients with incident fractures and with prevalent hip, vertebral, humerus, multiple, and traumatic fractures. Ignoring prevalent fractures underestimate the true cost of osteoporosis.

The direct and indirect costs of long bone fractures in a working age US population

OBJECTIVE

Information regarding the burden of fractures is limited, especially among working age patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the direct and indirect costs associated with long bone fractures in a working age population using real-world claims data.

METHODS

This was a claims-based retrospective analysis, comparing adult patients in the 6 months before and 6 months after a long bone fracture between 1/1/2001 and 12/31/2008 using the MarketScan Research Databases. Outcomes included direct medical costs and utilization, as well as work absenteeism and short term disability, which was available for a sub-set of the patients. Observed and adjusted incremental costs (i.e., the difference in costs before and after a fracture) were evaluated and reported in 2008 US$.

RESULTS

A total of 208,094 patients with at least one fracture were included in the study. Six, mutually exclusive fracture cohorts were evaluated: tibia shaft (n = 49,839), radius (n = 97,585), hip (n = 11,585), femur (n = 6788), humerus (n = 29,884), and those with multiple long bone fractures (n = 12,413). Average unadjusted direct costs in the 6-months before a long bone fracture ranged from $3291 (radius) to $12,923 (hip). The average incremental direct cost increase in the 6-months following a fracture ranged from $5707 (radius) to $39,041 (multiple fractures). Incremental absenteeism costs ranged from $950 (radius) to $2600 (multiple fractures), while incremental short-term disability costs ranged from $2050 (radius) to $4600 (multiple fractures).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that long bone fractures are costly, both in terms of direct medical costs and lost productivity. Workplace absences and short-term disability represent a significant component of the burden of long bone fractures. These results may not be generalizable to all patients with fractures in the US, and do not reflect the burden of undiagnosed or sub-clinical fractures.

Denosumab treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis does not interfere with fracture-healing: results from the FREEDOM trial

BACKGROUND

Fracture is the major complication of osteoporosis, and it allows the identification of individuals needing medical intervention for osteoporosis. After nonvertebral fracture, patients often do not receive osteoporosis medical treatment despite evidence that this treatment reduces the risk of subsequent fracture. In this pre planned analysis of the results of the three-year, placebo-controlled FREEDOM trial, we evaluated the effect of denosumab administration on fracture-healing to address theoretical concerns related to initiating or continuing denosumab therapy in patients presenting with a nonvertebral fracture.

METHODS

Postmenopausal women aged sixty to ninety years with osteoporosis were randomized to receive 60 mg of denosumab (n = 3902) or a placebo (n = 3906) subcutaneously every six months for three years. Investigators reported complications associated with a fracture or its management and with fracture-healing for all nonvertebral fractures that occurred during the study. Delayed healing was defined as incomplete fracture-healing six months after the fracture.

RESULTS

Six hundred and sixty-seven subjects (303 treated with denosumab and 364 who received a placebo) had a total of 851 nonvertebral fractures (386 in the denosumab group and 465 in the placebo group), including 199 fractures (seventy-nine in the denosumab group and 120 in the placebo group) that were treated surgically. Delayed healing was reported in seven subjects (two in the denosumab group and five in the placebo group), including one with subsequent nonunion (in the placebo group). Neither delayed healing nor nonunion was observed in any subject who had received denosumab within six weeks preceding or following the fracture. A complication associated with the fracture or intervention occurred in five subjects (2%) and twenty subjects (5%) in the denosumab and placebo groups,respectively (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Denosumab in a dose of 60 mg every six months does not seem to delay fracture-healing or contribute to other complications, even when it is administered at or near the time of the fracture.

Burden of pelvis fracture: a population-based study of incidence, hospitalisation and mortality

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence and consequences of pelvic fractures in a community cohort. The incidence of pelvic fractures increases with age with a protective effect of higher body mass index. Almost 60% of those with a pelvic fracture required an inpatient stay, with a median of 9 days. There was a higher 3-year mortality in those admitted (17%) vs. those not admitted (6.3%). Given the substantial health burden, further work is required to identify the optimal post-fracture therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

The burden of pelvis fractures is projected to increase, but there is a paucity of community-based studies describing rates, mortality and future fracture risk. We therefore estimated the age, gender and BMI-specific incidence of pelvis fracture in Catalonia (North-East Spain), and assessed hospital stay and mortality following fracture.

METHODS

The SIDIAP(Q) database contains validated clinical information from computerised medical records of a representative sample of 30% of the population of Catalonia. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all subjects aged ≥ 40 in SIDIAP(Q) and linked to the regional Hospital Admissions Database from 2007 to 2009. Pelvis fractures were ascertained using ICD-10 codes. Incidence and mortality rates were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 1,118,173 patients (582,820 women) were observed for 3 years and 1,356 had a pelvic fracture. The rate for pelvic fracture was 4.35/10,000 person-years (pyar) [95% CI 4.13-4.59] (men-2.73 [2.48-3.01]; women-5.82 [5.46-6.20]). This increased with age, peaking in those over 90 years: 29.41 [25.74-33.59]. Higher BMI was protective (HR 0.75 per SD BMI; [0.69-0.82]). Moreover, 59.1% of fractured patients were hospitalised with a median (IQR) stay of 9 (5-16) days, and after the 3-year follow-up 13.9% died (mortality rate 10.7/100 pyar [9.3-12.3]) with higher rates in those hospitalised (17.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pelvic fractures are associated with high rates of hospitalisation and mortality. Given this, further work is required to identify the optimal post-fracture therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes in this elderly patient group.

Cognitive dysfunction in cirrhosis is associated with falls: a prospective study

Falls are frequent among patients with debilitating disorders and can have a serious effect on health status. Mild cognitive disturbances associated with cirrhosis may increase the risk for falls. Identifying subjects at risk may allow the implementation of preventive measures. Our aim was to assess the predictive value of the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) in identifying patients likely to sustain falls. One hundred and twenty-two outpatients with cirrhosis were assessed using the PHES and were followed at specified intervals. One third of them exhibited cognitive dysfunction (CD) according to the PHES (<-4). Seventeen of the forty-two patients (40.4%) with CD had at least one fall during follow-up. In comparison, only 5 of 80 (6.2%) without CD had falls (P < 0.001). Fractures occurred in 4 patients (9.5%) with CD, but in no patients without CD (P = 0.01). Patients with CD needed more healthcare (23.8% versus 2.5%; P < 0.001), more emergency room care (14.2% versus 2.5%; P = 0.02), and more hospitalization (9.5% versus 0%; P = 0.01) as a result of falls than patients without CD. Patients taking psychoactive treatment (n = 21) had a higher frequency of falls, and this was related to an abnormal PHES. In patients without psychoactive treatment (n = 101), the incidence of falls was 32.4% in patients with CD versus 7.5% in those without CD (P = 0.003). In the multivariate analysis, CD was the only independent predictive factor of falls (odds ratio, 10.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.4-30.4; P < 0.001). The 1-year probability of falling was 52.3% in patients with CD and 6.5% in those without (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

An abnormal PHES identifies patients with cirrhosis who are at risk for falls. This psychometric test may be useful to promote awareness of falls and identify patients who may benefit from preventive strategies.

Direct healthcare costs of osteoporosis-related fractures in managed care patients receiving pharmacological osteoporosis therapy

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a common condition and the economic burden of osteoporosis-related fractures is significant. While studies have reported the incremental or attributable costs of osteoporosis-related fracture, data on the economic impact of osteoporosis-related fractures in commercial health plan populations are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the direct costs of osteoporosis-related fractures among pharmacologically treated patients in a large, commercially insured population between 2005 and 2008.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, patients were identified from a large, commercially insured population with integrated pharmacy and medical claims. Inclusion criteria were age 45-64 years; one or more osteoporosis medication claim(s) with first (index) claim between 1 January 2005 and 30 April 2008; and continuous insurance coverage for ≥12 months pre-index and ≥6 months post-index. Patients with pre-index Paget's disease or malignant neoplasm; skilled nursing facility stay; combination therapy at index; or fracture ≤6 months post-index were excluded. A generalized linear model compared differences in 6-month pre-/post-event costs for patients with and without fracture. Propensity score weighting was used to ensure comparability of fracture and non-fracture patients. Generalized estimating equations accounted for repeated measures.

RESULTS

The study included 49,680 patients (2613 with fracture) with a mean (SD) age of 56.4 (4.7) years; 95.9% were female. Mean differences between pre- and post-event direct costs were $US14,049 (95% CI 7670, 20,428) for patients with vertebral fractures, $US16,663 (95% CI 11,690, 21,636) for patients with hip fractures, and $US7582 (95% CI 6532, 8632) for patients with other fractures. After adjusting for covariates, osteoporosis-related fractures were associated with an additional $US9996 (95% CI 8838, 11,154; p < 0.0001) in direct costs per patient across all fracture types during the 6 months following fracture.

CONCLUSION

Patients with osteoporosis-related fractures were found to incur nearly $US10,000 in estimated additional direct healthcare costs in the 6 months post-fracture, compared with patients with no fracture. Reduced fracture risk may lower associated direct healthcare costs.

Limited V-shaped cement augmentation of the proximal femur to prevent secondary hip fractures

Patients with a femoral fracture due to osteoporosis are at high risk of sustaining a secondary fracture on the contralateral side. A prophylactic mechanical reinforcement of the contralateral side during operation of the initial fracture could be of interest for such patients. This biomechanical in vitro study investigates the potential of a limited V-shaped bone cement augmentation to prevent secondary hip fractures by targeting the areas of the proximal femur with the highest stresses during a fall. Five pairs of human cadaveric proximal femora were tested in a configuration simulating a fall on the greater trochanter. The femoral neck of one specimen of each pair was augmented with 8–14 ml polymethylmethacrylate from the lateral cortex towards inferior and superior, spanning a V-shaped cement pattern. Clinical relevant fractures were generated with a 45 kg mass in controlled free fall. Load-displacement data were recorded and energy to fracture, fracture load, yield load and stiffness were statistically evaluated. Augmented samples absorbed 124% more energy until fracture compared to their controls ( p = 0.043). No significant differences were found between the two groups for fracture load ( p = 0.5), yield load ( p = 0.35) and stiffness ( p = 0.5). Biomechanically, a limited V-shaped prophylactic cement augmentation carries potential to prevent secondary hip fractures indicated by increased energy absorption until fracture. Further investigations are necessary to minimize interference with the biology and to maximize the mechanical benefit of prophylactic augmentation.

Prediction of fracture risk in men: a cohort study

FRAX is a tool that identifies individuals with high fracture risk who will benefit from pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis. However, a majority of fractures among elderly occur in people without osteoporosis and most occur after a fall. Our aim was to accurately identify men with a high future risk of fracture, independent of cause. In the population-based Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM) and using survival analysis we studied different models' prognostic values (R(2)) for any fracture and hip fracture within 10 years from age 50 (n = 2322), 60 (n = 1852), 71 (n = 1221), and 82 (n = 526) years. During the total follow-up period from age 50 years, 897 fractures occurred in 585 individuals. Of these, 281 were hip fractures occurring in 189 individuals. The rates of any fracture were 5.7/1000 person-years at risk from age 50 years and 25.9/1000 person-years at risk from age 82 years. Corresponding hip fractures rates were 2.9 and 11.7/1000 person-years at risk. The FRAX model included all variables in FRAX except bone mineral density. The full model combining FRAX variables, comorbidity, medications, and behavioral factors explained 25% to 45% of all fractures and 80% to 92% of hip fractures, depending on age. The corresponding prognostic values of the FRAX model were 7% to 17% for all fractures and 41% to 60% for hip fractures. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) comparing the full model with the FRAX model ranged between 40% and 53% for any fracture and between 40% and 87% for hip fracture. Within the highest quintile of predicted fracture risk with the full model, one-third of the men will have a fracture within 10 years after age 71 years and two-thirds after age 82 years. We conclude that the addition of comorbidity, medication, and behavioral factors to the clinical components of FRAX can substantially improve the ability to identify men at high risk of fracture, especially hip fracture.

Osteoporotic fractures: a systematic review of U.S. healthcare costs and resource utilization

Osteoporotic fractures are costly in terms of both the dollar amount and healthcare utilization. The objective of this review was to systematically synthesize published evidence regarding direct costs associated with the treatment of osteoporosis-related fractures in the U.S. We conducted a systematic literature review of published studies that used claims databases and economic studies reporting costs associated with osteoporosis-related fractures in the U.S. Studies published between 1990 and 2011 were systematically searched in PubMed (primary source), Ovid HealthSTAR, EMBASE and the websites of large agencies. Data concerning study design, patient population and cost components assessed were extracted with qualitative assessment of study methods, limitations and conclusions. Cost assessment included direct medical and hospitalization (inpatient) costs. The cost differences by age and gender were examined. Of the 33 included studies, 26 reported an estimated total medical cost and hospital resource use associated with osteoporotic fractures. These studies indicated that, in the year following a fracture, medical and hospitalization costs were 1.6-6.2 higher than pre-fracture costs and 2.2-3.5 times higher than those for matched controls. Analysis of the hospitalization costs by osteoporotic fracture type resulted in hip fractures identified as the most expensive fracture type (unit cost range $US 8358-32195), while wrist and forearm fractures were the least expensive (unit cost range $US 1885-12136). Although incremental fracture costs were generally lower in the elderly than in the younger population, total costs were highest for the older (≥65 years of age) population. Total healthcare costs for fractures were highest for the older female population, but unit fracture costs in women were not consistently found to be higher than for men. The qualitative assessment of the included studies demonstrated that the design and reporting of individual studies were of good quality. However, the findings of this review and comparisons across studies were limited by differences in methodologies used by the different studies to derive costs, the populations included in the studies used and the fracture assessment. Despite the variability in estimates, the literature indicates that osteoporosis-related fractures are associated with high total medical and hospitalization costs in the U.S. The variability in the cost estimates highlights the importance of comparing the methodologies and the types of costs used when choosing an appropriate unit cost for economic modelling.

Variations in the use of internal fixation for distal radial fracture in the United States medicare population

BACKGROUND

Distal radial fractures affect an estimated 80,000 elderly Americans each year. Although the use of internal fixation for the treatment of distal radial fractures is becoming increasingly common, there have been no population-based studies to explore the dissemination of this technique. The aims of our study were to determine the current use of internal fixation for the treatment of distal radial fractures in the Medicare population and to examine regional variations and other factors that influence use of this treatment. We hypothesized that internal fixation of distal radial fractures would be used less commonly in male and black populations compared with other populations because the prevalence of osteoporosis is lower in these populations, and that use of internal fixation would be correlated with the percentage of the patients who were treated by a hand surgeon in a particular region.

METHODS

We performed an analysis of complete 2007 Medicare data to determine the percentage of distal radial fractures that were treated with internal fixation in each hospital referral region. We then analyzed the association of patient and physician factors with the type of fracture treatment received, both nationally and within each hospital referral region.

RESULTS

We identified 85,924 Medicare beneficiaries with a closed distal radial fracture who met the inclusion criteria, and 17.0% of these patients were treated with internal fixation. Fractures were significantly less likely to be treated with internal fixation in men than in women (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.80 to 0.89) and in black patients than in white patients (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.85). Patients were more likely to be treated with internal fixation rather than with another treatment if they were treated by a hand surgeon than if they were treated by an orthopaedic surgeon who was not a hand surgeon (odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 2.29 to 2.70). Use of internal fixation ranged from 4.6% to 42.1% (nearly a ten-fold difference) among hospital referral regions. The percentage of patients treated with internal fixation within a hospital referral region was positively correlated with the percentage of patients in that region who were treated by a hand surgeon (correlation coefficient, 0.34; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of internal fixation for the treatment of a distal radial fracture differs widely among geographical regions and patient populations. Such variations highlight the need for improved comparative-effectiveness data to guide the treatment of this fracture.

Prevalence and costs of osteoporotic patients with subsequent non-vertebral fractures in the US

This study assesses prevalence of subsequent fractures during the year after incident osteoporosis-related non-vertebral fractures among privately insured and Medicare populations and compares costs between patients with and without subsequent fractures. Many non-vertebral fracture patients incur subsequent fractures, and those who do are significantly more costly during the year after incident fracture.

INTRODUCTION

To estimate the prevalence of subsequent osteoporosis-related non-vertebral (NV) fractures during the year following an incident NV fracture and compare costs between NV fracture patients with and without subsequent fractures.

METHODS

Using insurance claims data (1999-2006), privately-insured (ages 18-64 years) and Medicare (ages 65+ years) patients with ≥1 subsequent osteoporosis-related NV fracture within a year of an incident osteoporosis-related NV fracture were matched to controls with incident NV fractures but no subsequent fractures. Subsequent fractures were identified as any claim for an NV fracture occurring >3 months after the incident NV fracture (>6 months were required for fractures occurring at the same site as the incident fracture). The study assessed prevalence of subsequent fractures and compared costs (from the payer's perspective) between patients with and without subsequent fractures over the year following an incident NV fracture.

RESULTS

Among privately insured NV fracture patients, 14.1% had any subsequent NV fractures, 1.6% had subsequent hip fractures, and 13.0% had subsequent non-vertebral, non-hip (NVNH) fractures, while 22.6% of Medicare NV fracture patients had subsequent NV fractures, 9.4% had subsequent hip fractures, and 15.5% had subsequent NVNH fractures. Mean excess health care costs per privately insured subsequent fracture patient were $9,789 ($19,072 vs. $9,914, p < 0.01), while excess medical costs per Medicare subsequent fracture patient were $12,527 ($31,904 vs. $19,377, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

NV fracture patients are at substantial risk for subsequent NV fractures within 1 year, and patients who incur subsequent fractures are significantly more costly than those who do not during the year following an incident fracture.

Direct costs of fractures in Canada and trends 1996-2006: a population-based cost-of-illness analysis

Cost-of-illness (COI) analysis is used to evaluate the economic burden of illness in terms of health care resource (HCR) consumption. We used the Population Health Research Data Repository for Manitoba, Canada, to identify HCR costs associated with 33,887 fracture cases (22,953 women and 10,934 men) aged 50 years and older that occurred over a 10-year period (1996-2006) and 101,661 matched control individuals (68,859 women and 32,802 men). Costs (in 2006 Canadian dollars) were estimated for the year before and after fracture, and the change (incremental cost) was modeled using quantile regression analysis to adjust for baseline covariates and to study temporal trends. The greatest total incremental costs were associated with hip fractures (median $16,171 in women and $13,111 for men), followed by spine fractures ($8,345 in women and $6,267 in men). The lowest costs were associated with wrist fractures ($663 in women and $764 in men). Costs for all fracture types were greater in older individuals (p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained with regression-based adjustment for baseline factors. Some costs showed a slight increase over the 10 years. The largest temporal increase in women was for hip fracture ($13 per year, 95% CI $6-$21, p < 0.001) and in men was for humerus fracture ($11 per year, 95% CI $3-$19, p = 0.007). At the population level, hip fractures were responsible for the largest proportion of the costs after age 80, but the other fractures were more important prior to age 80. We found that there are large incremental health care costs associated with incident fractures in Canada. Identifying COI from HCR use offers a cost baseline for measuring the effects of evidence-based guidelines implementation.

Current and future national costs to medicare for the treatment of distal radius fracture in the elderly

PURPOSE

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are the second most common fracture experienced by elderly individuals. In 2005, 16% of DRFs in the Medicare population were being treated with internal fixation, up from 3% in 1997. This shift in treatment strategy can have substantial financial impact on Medicare and the health care system in general. The specific aims of this project were to quantify the current and future Medicare expenditures attributable to DRF and to compare Medicare payments for the 4 treatment options for elderly DRF.

METHODS

We analyzed the 100% 2007 Medicare dataset for annual DRF-attributable spending. Payments were obtained for claims that were identified as attributable to DRF by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes for DRF in conjunction with a Current Procedural Technology code for relevant treatment or service. We projected annual payments based on increasing internal fixation treatment. All payments are reported in 2007 U.S. dollars.

RESULTS

In 2007, Medicare made $170 million in DRF-attributable payments. If the usage of internal fixation were to reach 50%, DRF-attributable payments could be nearly $240 million. The mean attributable payment made for each patient in 2007 was $1,983. Most of this is due to facility and staffing cost for the treatment procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis provides an accurate quantification of Medicare DRF-attributable expenditure. Use of 100% Medicare data allows for the summation of actual patient experience rather than modeling or estimation. The burden of DRF is going to grow as the U.S. population ages and as internal fixation becomes more widely used. The Medicare payment data can help in allocating resources nationally to address the increasing disease burden of DRF.

Secular decreases in fracture rates 1986-2006 for Manitoba, Canada: a population-based analysis

SUMMARY

We examined trends in fracture rates over 20 years in the Province of Manitoba, Canada. Hip fractures, major low-trauma fractures, and high-trauma fractures declined significantly from 1986 to 2006.

INTRODUCTION

Secular decreases in hip fracture rates have been reported in some countries. Whether this phenomenon applies to other fracture sites is not well described.

METHODS

We used 20 years of data from the Population Health Research Data Repository for the Province of Manitoba, Canada. Age-adjusted fracture rates were calculated for men and women age 50 years and older 1986-2006 according to fracture site and mechanism (presence/absence of external injury codes). Generalized linear models with generalized estimating equations were used to derive adjusted annual rates and test for linear change in men and women.

RESULTS

Major low-trauma fractures (hip, forearm, spine, and humerus) showed a significant annual linear decline in women (-1.2% [95% CI, -0.7% to -1.8%]) and in men (-0.4% [95% CI, -0.7% to -0.2%]). Hip fracture showed a significant annual decline for both sexes, while forearm and humerus fractures showed a significant decline only in women. The only fracture category that did not show a significant annual decline in either sex was the spine. The observed annual reduction in high-trauma fractures was even larger and did not show a sex difference (-1.8% [95% CI, -2.8% to -0.7%]).

CONCLUSION

We observed a decrease in both low-trauma and high-trauma fracture rates over the study period. This decline was apparent in years prior to widespread osteoporosis testing or availability of modern pharmacotherapy.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is associated with falls

OBJECTIVES

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) reduces quality of life and impacts daily functioning. It is known to impair fitness to drive, but deficits in attention and reaction may also be associated with falls. Falls may have important consequences in patients with cirrhosis due to coagulopathy, osteoporosis, and operative risk. However, the relationship between MHE and falls has not yet been evaluated. The objective of this study is to retrospectively investigate whether MHE is associated with falls in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

We included 130 cirrhotic outpatients and 43 controls. MHE was diagnosed according to the results of the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES). We recorded the reported incidence and number of falls in the 12 months before the study, the severity of injuries, and the need for healthcare services.

RESULTS

Forty-five (34.6%) patients with cirrhosis exhibited MHE. The proportion of patients with MHE that reported falls (40%) was higher than those without MHE (12.9%, P<0.001), which was similar to controls (11.6%). In patients with MHE, there was a higher need for primary healthcare services (8.8 vs. 0%, P=0.004) and hospitalization (6.6 vs. 2.3%, P=0.34) due to falls than in patients without MHE. Patients on psychoactive drugs (n=21) showed a stronger association between MHE and falls: 6/8 (75%) patients with MHE presented falls vs. 2/13 (15.3%) patients without MHE (P=0.01). In patients not receiving psychoactive drugs (n=109), the incidence of falls was 12/37 (32.4%) in patients with MHE vs. 9/72 (12.5%) in those without MHE (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that MHE (odds ratio (OR): 2.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-7.48, P=0.02), previous encephalopathy (OR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.10-7.50, P=0.03), and antidepressant therapy (OR: 3.91, 95% CI: 0.96-15.9, P=0.05) were independent factors associated to previous falls.

CONCLUSIONS

Falls are more frequent in cirrhotic patients with MHE, particularly in those on treatment with psychoactive drugs, and are a significant cause for healthcare and hospitalization requirements.