Osteoporotic fractures and subsequent fractures: imminent fracture risk from an analysis of German real-world claims data

Following hip fracture, hospital organizational factors associated with prescription of anti-osteoporosis medication on discharge, to address imminent refracture risk: a record-linkage study

Patients who sustain a hip fracture are known to be at imminent refracture risk. Their complex multidisciplinary rehabilitation needs to include falls prevention and anti-osteoporosis medication (AOM) to prevent such fractures. This study aimed to determine which hospital-level organizational factors predict prescription of post-hip fracture AOM and refracture risk. A cohort of 178 757 patients aged ≥60 yr who sustained a hip fracture in England and Wales (2016-2019) was examined and followed for 1 yr. Patient-level hospital admission datasets from 172 hospitals, the National Hip Fracture Database, and mortality data were linked to 71 metrics extracted from 18 hospital-level organizational reports. Multilevel models determined organizational factors, independent of patient case-mix, associated with (1) AOM prescription and (2) refracture (by ICD10 coding). Patients were mean (SD) 82.7 (8.6) yr old, 71% female, with 18% admitted from care homes. Overall, 101 735 (57%) were prescribed AOM during admission, while 50 354 (28%) died during 1-yr follow-up, 12 240 (7%) refractured. Twelve organizational factors were associated with AOM prescription, for example, orthogeriatrician-led care compared to traditional care models (odds ratio [OR] 4.65 [95% CI, 2.25-9.59]); AOM was 9% (95% CI, 6%-13%) more likely to be prescribed in hospitals providing routine bone health assessment to all patients. Refracture occurred at median 126 d (IQR 59-234). Eight organizational factors were associated with refracture risk; hospitals providing orthogeriatrician assessment to all patients within 72 h of admission had an 18% (95% CI, 2%-31%) lower refracture risk, weekend physiotherapy provision had an 8% (95% CI, 3%-14%) lower risk, and where occupational therapists attended clinical governance meetings, a 7% (95% CI, 2%-12%) lower risk. Delays initiating post-discharge community rehabilitation were associated with a 15% (95% CI, 3%-29%) greater refracture risk. These novel, national findings highlight the importance of orthogeriatrician, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist involvement in secondary fracture prevention post hip fracture; notably, fracture risk reductions were seen within 12 mo of hip fracture.

[Osteoporosis - implications of the new guidelines in practice]

In September 2023, the guideline on the prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men was published as a completely revised guideline. The implications for practice include a change in the justifying indication for performing a bone density measurement, the time interval over which the fracture risk is determined, the level and number of therapy thresholds, and the recommendations for the therapeutic approach that are adapted to the individual fracture risk present. Risk assessment for the prediction of spine and hip fractures is essential in the context of osteoporosis diagnostics. In addition to age and gender, there are a total of 33 risk factors to determine the individual risk of fracture. Much more attention is paid to the assessment of the risk of falls and, depending on the result, combined with recommendations for muscle training and protein intake from the age of 65. Risk indicators must also be taken into account when determining the indication for osteoporosis diagnosis, as well as the risk factors of the imminent risk of fracture. The indication for baseline diagnostics has changed from the >20% 10-year fracture risk to diagnostics in postmenopausal women and in men aged 50 years and older, depending on the fracture risk factor profile. This eliminates a specific fracture risk threshold for basic diagnostics. Thus, in the young patient group (50-60 years), the risk factors considered medically relevant for the indication for osteoporosis diagnosis must be taken into account. New thresholds as an indication for initiating therapy is the determination of fracture risk using a risk calculator over 3 years instead of 10 years. The indication for drug therapy should be based on the threshold values of the DVO risk model. The data clearly suggests a significantly faster and more effective fracture risk-reducing effect of anabolic therapy. This is recommended in the first sequence in cases of a very high risk of fracture from 10%/3 years with osteoanabolic active substances (teriparatide or romosozumab). Such a therapy sequence should be initiated directly and not delayed due to upcoming dental procedures. Follow-up therapy to consolidate the reduction of fracture risk should be chosen individually.

Association between pharmacotherapy and secondary vertebral fracture managed with a brace in a real-world setting: A nationwide database study in Japan

AIM

This retrospective cohort study assessed the association between the incidence of secondary vertebral fracture managed with a brace (SVF) and pharmacotherapy.

METHODS

The association between the incidence of SVF and the presence, type, and medication possession ratio (MPR) of pharmacotherapy was investigated using medical insurance data acquired from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan.

RESULTS

The data of female patients (n = 637 303) were analyzed. The 2-year incidence of SVF was 73.5 per 10 000 patients (n = 4687). Approximately 0.73% of patients without medications and 0.74% with medications had SVF. Patients taking bisphosphonates (0.87), denosumab (0.77), and selective estrogen receptor modulators (0.88) had significantly lower standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) than patients not taking medications after the occurrence of primary fracture; meanwhile, patients taking parathyroid hormone medications had considerably higher SIRs than those not taking medications. The non-SVF group (59.1%) had a significantly higher mean MPR than the SVF group (55.5%). Patients taking denosumab in the non-SVF group (68.2%) had the highest mean MPR. The proportion of patients taking denosumab with an MPR of ≥80% in the non-SVF group was significantly higher than that in the SVF group.

CONCLUSION

Patients taking medications were at a lower risk of developing SVF than those not taking medications. Although this study did not compare the medications' SVF prevention effects, patients taking denosumab had a 0.77 SIR of SVF in Japan. The effect of pharmacotherapy on SVF prevention might be affected by the MPR of each medication. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 390-397.

Imminent fall risk after fracture

RATIONALE

Adults with a recent fracture have a high imminent risk of a subsequent fracture. We hypothesise that, like subsequent fracture risk, fall risk is also highest immediately after a fracture. This study aims to assess if fall risk is time-dependent in subjects with a recent fracture compared to subjects without a fracture.

METHODS

This retrospective matched cohort study used data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD. All subjects ≥50 years with a fracture between 1993 and 2015 were identified and matched one-to-one to fracture-free controls based on year of birth, sex and practice. The cumulative incidence and relative risk (RR) of a first fall was calculated at various time intervals, with mortality as competing risk. Subsequently, analyses were stratified according to age, sex and type of index fracture.

RESULTS

A total of 624,460 subjects were included; 312,230 subjects with an index fracture, matched to 312,230 fracture-free controls (71% females, mean age 70 ± 12, mean follow-up 6.5 ± 5 years). The RR of falls was highest in the first year after fracture compared to fracture-free controls; males had a 3-fold and females a 2-fold higher risk. This imminent fall risk was present in all age and fracture types and declined over time. A concurrent imminent fracture and mortality risk were confirmed.

CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION

This study demonstrates an imminent fall risk in the first years after a fracture in all age and fracture types. This underlines the need for early fall risk assessment and prevention strategies in 50+ adults with a recent fracture.

Long-term and sequential treatment for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder that causes impairment of bone structure and strength, leading to a progressively increased risk of fragility fractures. The global prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing in the ageing population. Owing to the chronic character of osteoporosis, years or even decades of preventive measures or therapy are required. The long-term use of bone-specific pharmacological treatment options, including antiresorptive and/or osteoanabolic approaches, has raised concerns around adverse effects or potential rebound phenomena after treatment discontinuation. Imaging options, risk scores and the assessment of bone turnover during initiation and monitoring of such therapies could help to inform individualized treatment strategies. Combination therapies are currently used less often than 'sequential' treatments. However, all patients with osteoporosis, including those with secondary and rare causes of osteoporosis, as well as specific patient populations (for example, young adults, men and pregnant women) require new approaches for long-term therapy and disease monitoring. New pathophysiological aspects of bone metabolism might therefore help to inform and revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis treatment gap in patients at risk of fracture in Egypt: a multi-center, cross-sectional observational study

Despite the wide availability of a wide variety of approved osteoporosis medications and DXA scan centers in Egypt, only a minority of patients at high risk of sustaining a fragility fracture receive treatment, even after their first fracture. Such big "treatment gap" leaves the most high-risk individuals unprotected against fragility fractures. This study provides a benchmark to monitor national trends in osteoporosis management and service uptake.

PURPOSE

To assess the treatment gap among men and postmenopausal women presenting with a fragility fracture, and to analyze the characteristics and fracture risks of the patients presenting with an index fragility fracture.

METHODS

This was a multi-center, cross-sectional, observational study. Both men and postmenopausal women, admitted with an osteoporotic fracture (whether major osteoporosis or hip fracture), were consecutively recruited for this work. The fracture risk was assessed based on their FRAX calculation prior to the index fracture. All the patients were assessed for their falls and sarcopenia risks. Blood tests for bone profile as well as DXA scan were offered to all the patients.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-six patients presenting with fragility fractures were included in this work. 70.8% were women and 29.2% were men. Mean age was 70.1 (SD = 9.2) years. Ten-year probability of fracture (without BMD) was high in 65.9% of the postmenopausal women and 40.3% of the men. 82.1% of the postmenopausal women and 100% in men identified to be eligible for osteoporosis therapy did not receive any form of osteoporosis therapy. FRAX score correlated significantly with bone mineral density assessment at both hip and spine. Falls, sarcopenia, and functional disability showed significant relation to the fracture risk.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a large treatment gap in Egyptian older adults. The recent guidelines for osteoporosis management in Egypt endorsed fracture centric approach to identify people at risk. The gap appears to be related to a low rate of osteoporosis diagnosis and lack of patient education.

The imminent risk of a fracture-existing worldwide data: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The overall incidence of imminent fracture after a prior fragility fracture was 7.58% in the first year and 11.58% in the first 2 years. Approximately half of re-fractures occurred in the first 2 years after a fragility fracture. Older patients that have suffered from a fragility fracture should be treated promptly, with immediate care and a secondary fracture prevention to prevent the high imminent risk of a fracture.

INTRODUCTION

Imminent fractures refer to the fractures that occur within 2 years of an initial fracture. It is well known that the risk of a subsequent fracture is not constant with time and occurs shortly after the initial one. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to present the existing data on imminent fracture worldwide.

METHODS

Literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases until 26 October 2021 for studies reporting the incidence of imminent osteoporotic fractures among people aged 50 years or older. The overall incidence of imminent fracture was pooled and subgroup analyses of index fracture sites and regions on incidence of imminent fracture were performed, with the 95% confidence interval (CI) being calculated. Percentage of imminent fracture occurring in follow-up period was calculated and pooled by meta-analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) was used to estimate the gender differences on the imminent risk of fracture.

RESULTS

A total of 1446 articles were identified. Nineteen observational studies were eligible for our systematic review, in which 18 were used for quantitative analysis. Pooled overall incidence of imminent fracture in the first year after an osteoporotic fracture was 7.58% (95% CI 5.84 to 9.31%) and cumulative incidence in the first 2 years was 11.58% (95% CI 8.94 to 14.21%). Subgroup analysis showed that in the first 2 years, the pooled incidence in Asia was 7.30% (95% CI 3.42 to 11.18%), whilst incidence in Europe/North America was 13.17% (95% CI 10.14 to 16.20%). In included studies with follow-up period of more than 5 years, pooled imminent fracture percentage in the first 2 years was 47.24% (95% CI 26.18 to 68.30%). Hazard ratio (HR) on gender showed that women had an overall slight increase in risk of imminent fractures (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.25).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of imminent fracture is high globally at 11.58%. Approximately half of all refractures occur in the first 2 years after an index fragility fracture. Older patients that have suffered from a fragility fracture should be treated promptly. Also, immediate care and secondary fracture prevention are necessary to prevent the high imminent risk of a fracture, especially within the first 2 years.

Risk factors of primary and recurrent fractures in postmenopausal osteoporotic Chinese patients: A retrospective analysis study

BACKGROUND

As postmenopausal osteoporotic fractures can cause higher rates of disability and mortality in women; it is essential to analyze the factors associated with primary and recurrent fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) patients.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 2478 PMOP patients aged ≥ 50 years who attended the Shanghai General Hospital from January 2007 to December 2016, including 1239 patients with no fractures and 1239 patients with histories of fractures (1008 in the primary fracture group and 231 in the re-fracture group). All patients' basic clinical data, serum biochemical and bone metabolic markers, bone mineral density (BMD), and other indicators were recorded uniformly. Comparing the differences between the clinical characteristics of patients with primary and recurrent fractures, as well as the differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with primary and recurrent fractures in combination with different diseases, further analyses the risk factors for primary and recurrent fractures in PMOP patients. SPSS.26 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Compared to the unfractured group, the fractured group was older and had lower height and bone mineral density (all P < 0.01), with the re-fractured group having lower BMD at each key site than the primary fracture group (all P < 0.01). Analysis of the combined disease subgroups showed that serum BGP levels were lower in the primary and re-fracture patients with diabetes than in the non-diabetic subgroup (P < 0.05), and serum CTX levels were lower in the re-fracture group with diabetes than in the primary fracture group with diabetes (P < 0.05). Patients with recurrent fractures with cardio-vascular diseases had lower BMD than the subgroup without cardio-vascular diseases (P < 0.05) and also had lower BMD than the group with primary fractures with cardio-vascular diseases (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, overweight, low lumbar spine and total hip BMD were risk factors for primary and recurrent fractures; and comorbid chronic liver and kidney diseases were risk factors for primary fractures.

CONCLUSION

PMOP patients with advanced age, overweight, low bone mineral density, and comorbid chronic liver and kidney diseases are at greater risk of fractures and require early intervention to reduce fractures occurrence. Moreover, those who are elderly, overweight, and have low bone density should also be aware of the risk of re-fractures.

The association between heart failure and risk of fractures: Pool analysis comprising 260,410 participants

Background

HF and osteoporosis shared many common etiological risk factors. However, studies exploring whether patients with HF were associated with a higher risk of osteoporotic fracture resulted in inconsistent findings. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the association between HF and the risk of incident fracture.

Methods

Following the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology group recommendations, we searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Cochran Library, and EMBASE) for related studies from inception to April 30, 2021. Studies evaluating the risk of incident fracture in patients with HF compared with those without HF were included for analysis. The random-effects models were used to combine the estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of incident fracture associated with HF.

Results

We included 8 observational studies for meta-analysis. The sample size ranged from 5,613 to 87,748 participants, with a total of 260,410 participants included. The median follow-up duration was 5.0 years. Random-effects model analyses showed that compared with control groups, patients with HF were associated with a higher risk of all incident fractures (HR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.30–2.16, P < 0.001) and hip fracture (HR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.28–3.77, P < 0.001). The risk of all incident fractures was increased in all subgroup analyses according to age, sample size, sex, and follow-up duration.

Conclusions

Patients with HF were associated with a higher risk of incident fracture, as well as hip fracture.

Potential of Health Insurance Claims Data to Predict Fractures in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

Purpose

In older adults, fractures are associated with mortality, disability, loss of independence and high costs. Knowledge on their predictors can help to identify persons at high risk who may benefit from measures to prevent fractures. We aimed to assess the potential of German claims data to predict fractures in older adults.

Patients and Methods

Using the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (short GePaRD; claims data from ~20% of the German population), we included persons aged ≥65 years with at least one year of continuous insurance coverage and no fractures prior to January 1, 2017 (baseline). We randomly divided the study population into a training (80%) and a test sample (20%) and used logistic regression and random forest models to predict the risk of fractures within one year after baseline based on different combinations of potential predictors.

Results

Among 2,997,872 persons (56% female), the incidence per 10,000 person years of any fracture in women increased from 133 in age group 65–74 years (men: 71) to 583 in age group 85+ (men: 332). The maximum predictive performance as measured by the area under the curve (AUC) across models was 0.63 in men and 0.60 in women and was achieved by combining information on drugs and morbidities. AUCs were lowest in age group 85+.

Conclusion

Our study showed that the performance of models using German claims data to predict the risk of fractures in older adults is moderate. Given that the models used data readily available to health insurance providers in Germany, it may still be worthwhile to explore the cost–benefit ratio of interventions aiming to reduce the risk of fractures based on such prediction models in certain risk groups.

Muscle Strength and Physical Performance Are Associated With Risk of Postfracture Mortality But Not Subsequent Fracture in Men

Muscle strength and physical performance are associated with incident fractures and mortality. However, their role in the risk of subsequent fracture and postfracture mortality is not clear. We assessed the association between muscle strength (grip strength) and performance (gait speed and chair stands time) and the risk of subsequent fracture and mortality in 830 men with low-trauma index fracture, who participated in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) USA Study and had their index measurements assessed within 5 years prior to the index fracture. The annual decline in muscle strength and performance following index fracture, estimated using linear mixed-effects regression, was also examined in relation to mortality. The associations were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, femoral neck bone mineral density (FN BMD), prior fractures, falls, body mass index (BMI), index fracture site, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Over a median follow-up of 3.7 (interquartile range [IQR], 1.3-8.1) years from index fracture to subsequent fracture, 201 (24%) men had a subsequent fracture and over 5.1 (IQR, 1.8-9.6) years to death, and 536 (65%) men died. Index measurements were not associated with subsequent fracture (hazard ratios [HRs] ranging from 0.97 to 1.07). However, they were associated with postfracture mortality. HR (95% confidence interval [CI]) per 1 standard deviation (1-SD) decrement in grip strength: HR 1.12 (95% CI, 1.01-1.25) and gait speed: HR 1.14 (95% CI, 1.02-1.27), and 1-SD increment in chair stands time: HR 1.08 (95% CI, 0.97-1.21). Greater annual declines in these measurements were associated with higher mortality risk, independent of the index values and other covariates. HR (95% CI) per 1-SD annual decrement in change in grip strength: HR 1.15 (95% CI, 1.01-1.33) and in gait speed: HR 1.38 (95% CI, 1.13-1.68), and 1-SD annual increment in chair stands time: HR 1.28 (95% CI, 1.07-1.54). Men who were unable to complete one or multiple tests had greater risk of postfracture mortality (24%-109%) compared to those performed all tests. It remains to be seen whether improvement in these modifiable factors can reduce postfracture mortality. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Management of patients at very high risk of osteoporotic fractures through sequential treatments

Osteoporosis care has evolved markedly over the last 50 years, such that there are now an established clinical definition, validated methods of fracture risk assessment and a range of effective pharmacological agents. Currently, bone-forming (anabolic) agents, in many countries, are used in those patients who have continued to lose bone mineral density (BMD), patients with multiple subsequent fractures or those who have fractured despite treatment with antiresorptive agents. However, head-to-head data suggest that anabolic agents have greater rapidity and efficacy for fracture risk reduction than do antiresorptive therapies. The European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) convened an expert working group to discuss the tools available to identify patients at high risk of fracture, review the evidence for the use of anabolic agents as the initial intervention in patients at highest risk of fracture and consider the sequence of therapy following their use. This position paper sets out the findings of the group and the consequent recommendations. The key conclusion is that the current evidence base supports an "anabolic first" approach in patients found to be at very high risk of fracture, followed by maintenance therapy using an antiresorptive agent, and with the subsequent need for antiosteoporosis therapy addressed over a lifetime horizon.

Adjacent vertebral Hounsfield unit value of acute osteoporotic vertebral fracture is a risk factor for concomitant domino osteoporotic vertebral fractures

BACKGROUND

Most patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral fracture (AOVF) are successfully treated conservatively. However, the optimal management method and prognosis for multiple AOVFs are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of multiple AOVFs and identify the associated risk factors.

METHODS

This study enrolled 134 hospitalized patients (mean age 83 ± 7.6 years, 66% women) with AOVF treated conservatively between 2017 and 2020. The fractures were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The AOVFs were divided into two groups; single osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) and domino OVFs (at least two OVFs). The adjacent vertebral Hounsfield unit values (HU) of the OVF and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine or hip were used to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for domino OVFs.

RESULTS

Domino OVFs were noted in 21 (15.7%) of 134 patients. There were 10 cases of adjacent level and 11 cases of remote level. The BMI (18.5 ± 4.2 vs. 21.2 ± 4.6, p = 0.025) and adjacent vertebral HU value of OVF (57.3 ± 17.5 vs. 76.6 ± 24.1, p = 0.008) were significantly lower in the domino OVFs group than in the single OVF group. Logistic regression analysis revealed the adjacent vertebral HU value of the OVF as an independent risk factor for domino OVFs, (odds ratios (OR) 0.96, p = 0.012). The domino OVF group had a significantly higher decline in gait ability (76% vs. 48%, p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

The adjacent vertebral HU value of AOVF is a useful tool for evaluating BMD for domino OVFs. The optimal treatment for osteoporosis should be considered to prevent subsequent domino OVFs.