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Bone health education programs for older people: an integrative review

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density. The dissemination of knowledge about the disease can be a viable alternative for promoting preventive behavior and self-care. This study sought to identify the main characteristics of bone health programs for older persons. We conducted an integrative review, searching for studies published between 2011 and 2022 in the CAPES periodicals database, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar using English descriptors. A total of 10,093 studies were retrieved, seven of which were selected after applying the inclusion criteria. The findings show that bone health education programs aim to empower older people by increasing knowledge about the disease and raising awareness about calcium and vitamin D intake, osteoporosis medications, and the importance of changing habits and exercise. Programs generally consist of group or individual meetings, with sessions lasting 50 to 60 minutes. Class sizes may be limited or unrestricted. Follow-up during the educational process was also found to be important. Tailoring topics to the reality and interests of participants appears to be another positive way of promoting the adoption of self-care practices.

O impacto das fraturas do quadril no SUS 2008 - 2017: O papel do ortopedista

Objective The present study intends to describe the profile of hospitalization and ambulatory rehabilitation of patients ≥ 50 years old due to hip fracture in the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS, in the Portuguese acronym).

Methods This is a cross-sectional study of patients hospitalized due to hip fracture in the SUS between 2008 and 2017. Data included 441,787 hip fracture-related hospitalizations from the hospitalization database of the department of informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/DATASUS, in the Portuguese acronym), and data of patients who underwent rehabilitation from the ambulatory database of the department of informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIA/DATASUS, in the Portuguese acronym.).

Results Most of hip fracture-related hospitalizations (83.5%) happen to people ≥ 50 years old, with an average annual growth of 5.6% in hip fracture-related hospitalizations. The costs for the government have been growing in the same proportion and reached almost BRL 130 million in 2017, although with a 13.6% decrease in average cost per hospitalization. Besides the financial impact, hip fractures result in an in-hospital mortality rate around 5.0% in patients aged ≥ 50 years old. In addition, the percentage of patients that have undergone hip fracture-related rehabilitation increased from 2008 (14.0%) to 2012 (40.0%), and remained stable after that.

Conclusions The progressive increase in the incidence of hip fractures shows the financial and social impact, and the need for immediate actions to prevent this rising trend. Hip fractures are a risk for secondary fractures, the prevention is crucial, and the orthopedist plays a central role in this process.

Fragility fracture systems, Latin America perspective

Osteoporosis is a worldwide epidemic, affecting an average of 30% to 50% of those over 50 years of age in Latin America. Resulting from it is another epidemic, that of fragility fractures, which adversely affects morbidity and mortality of this population. Increasing in their incidence, fragility fractures are expected to occur in 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over 50years of age during their lifetimes. Currently, there are diagnostic and management guidelines for fragility fractures in Latin American countries, especially those for hip and spine fractures. In general, in Latin America, the quality indicators and standards for the care of these fractures vary greatly according to the health system, being suboptimal in many situations. The organization of health services is different in the different countries throughout Latin America. Common underlying characteristics, however, include the distinctions that exist in care between public and private medicine and the lack of economic resources directed to public healthcare systems from the national levels. Several important changes have been implemented in recent years, with the collaboration between national organizations and international associations such as the Fragility Fracture Network and the International Osteoporosis Foundation, aimed at improving quality standards in care and rates of morbidity and mortality in patients treated thorough fragility fracture programs. The underregistration in these programs and absence of formal national registries also contribute to a lack of recognition of the size, scope, and severity of the problem.

Osteoporosis Drug Treatment Update

The Brazilian population is aging and the prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases, including osteoporosis, is increasing. The diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis have made significant advances in the last decade. The orthopedist and traumatologist can no longer be detained only in the surgical treatment of osteoporotic fracture. It is extremely important that we know: 1) what risk factors to evaluate, and the Fracture Risk Assesment Tool (FRAX) can be used; 2) which complementary tests should be requested, such as densitometry, radiography of the spine and pelvis, blood and urine tests, and even bone biopsy; 3) which supplements to use, such as calcium and magnesium, vitamins D and K; 4) which medications to prescribe, antiresorptives or trainers, therapeutic windows and adverse events.

Benefits of fracture liaison services (FLS) in four Latin American countries: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina

AIMS

Fracture liaison services (FLS) use a multidisciplinary approach to treat patients who have experienced an osteoporotic fracture to reduce the risk of subsequent fractures. To date, there has been minimal FLS implementation in Latin America where fractures continue to be undertreated. This study aims to estimate the number of fractures averted, bed days avoided, and costs saved resulting from universal FLS implementation in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A calculator was developed to estimate the annual benefits of FLS programs in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina from a public hospital perspective. It was assumed all patients with a hip, vertebral, or wrist fracture were referred to an FLS program. Country-specific data were obtained from a previous systematic review and interviews with osteoporosis experts. Hospitalization and post-hospitalization costs were expressed in 2019 USD without discounting. Costs of FLS implementation were not considered.

RESULTS

In 2019, the number of FLS patients prevented from having a subsequent hip, vertebral, or wrist fracture was estimated as 15,607 in Brazil, 8,168 in Mexico, 5,190 in Argentina, and 2,435 in Colombia with total bed days saved of 142,378 in Brazil, 75,877 in Mexico, 52,301 in Argentina, and 21,725 in Colombia. The annual cost savings in 2019 were highest in Argentina (28.1 million USD), followed by Mexico (19.6 million USD), Brazil (7.64 million USD) and Colombia (3.04 million USD). Over five years (2019-2023) the cumulative cost savings were 145 million USD in Argentina, 106 million USD in Mexico, 40.5 million USD in Brazil, and 16.1 million USD in Colombia.

CONCLUSION

Universal FLS implementation in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina was predicted to prevent 31,400 fractures, avoid 292,281 bed days, and save 58.4 million USD in 2019, though caution is warranted in the interpretation of these results due to high uncertainty. Increased implementation of FLS programs in Latin American countries may help to realize these benefits.

Incidence and Mortality of Osteoporotic Refractures in Korea according to Nationwide Claims Data

PURPOSE

Studies on the incidence and mortality of refractures after primary osteoporotic fracture are limited by the relatively rare incidence of such refractures and small sample sizes. The objectives of this research were: 1) to determine the incidence of osteoporotic refractures and fracture locations and 2) to assess mortality rates associated with osteoporotic refracture over a median follow up of 3 years using nationwide claim database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients over 50 years of age who had an osteoporotic fracture that was confirmed operationally were enrolled. Refracture was defined as that after 6 months of an untreated period. Mortality rate was calculated using the Charlson comorbidity index and was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 18956 first-time instances of osteoporotic fracture were reported between 2007 and 2012 after a median follow up of 3.1 years (range, 1 to 7 years). Among 18956 patients, 2941 (15.50%) experienced refracture. After follow up for 1 year, cumulative mortality rates for re-fracture and non-refracture groups were 9.1% and 7.2%, respectively. After adjusting for covriates, mortality rate was 1.2 times greater in patients with re-fracture than in patients without re-fracture over a median follow up of 3 years (hazard ratio: 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.34, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of osteoporotic re-fracture in this nationwide study was 15.5%, and the mortality rate of re-fracture patients was 1.2 times higher than that of non-refracture patients over a median follow up of 3 years.

Socioeconomic and demographic determinants in the provision of assistance to elderly people with a fractured femur

Femur fracture affects the elderly with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the profile of the assistance given to the elderly who have femoral fractures, relating to their socioeconomic and demographic conditions, in the state of Paraná between the years 2008 to 2013. These relationships were obtained through factor analysis and the development and analysis of the following rates: PAE - the potential of primary health care to the elderly, whose variable was represented by the contribution of the elderly to the municipal GDP, PAP - the potential of the primary health care to the population, represented by GDP per capita and TE - treatment efficiency represented by the annual rate of fractures and annual rate of death per residence. The municipalities were classified according to the rate variation range. In relation to PAE, 10 municipalities were classified with low potential of care for the elderly, 357 with moderate potential and 32 had low potential. In relation to PAE, 12 municipalities were classified with low potential of primary care for the elderly, 303 with moderate potential and 84 had low potential. In relation to TE, 109 municipalities showed high treatment efficiency, 110 with moderate efficiency and 180 had low efficiency. Our conclusion was that the performance of the economy exerts significant influence on femoral fracture morbidity in the elderly.

Consensus statement: osteoporosis prevention and treatment in Latin America-current structure and future directions

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a common disorder affecting populations worldwide. In Latin America, an aging population combined with limited health care resources result in osteoporosis quickly becoming a condition of considerable magnitude with disproportionate morbidity and mortality.

AIM

To review the current state of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis in Latin America and to develop strategies and recommendations that may be adopted in the region, an expert panel of clinicians and scientists was assembled to develop a consensus statement outlining future directions.

METHOD

The panel conducted a comprehensive literature review of publications mainly related to osteoporosis in Latin America, and at an in-person meeting developed a consensus position to address the relevant issues.

RESULTS

The epidemiology, burden, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis in the region were discussed with particular attention to issues unique to the region. A series of recommendations were developed encompassing virtually all aspects of the disease, including improved public and health professional awareness, better diagnostic processes, improved access to care, and greater engagement by health policy makers, government, and a wide variety of private organizations.

CONCLUSIONS

The panel concluded that a comprehensive approach to osteoporosis prevention and treatment in Latin America is urgently needed.

Primary and secondary osteoporotic fractures prophylaxis: evaluation of a prospective cohort

OBJECTIVE

To measure the prevalence of primary drug prevention of fractures due to osteoporosis in patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital, in a medium-sized city, admitted with osteoporotic fractures. Moreover, to identify the incidence of prescribing secondary prophylaxis after the first fracture event. At the same time, the prevalence of risk factors for such fractures as described in the literature was measured.

METHODS

This longitudinal prospective study was based on a cohort of patients admitted in a tertiary teaching hospital from October 2015 to January 2016. Patients with low energy or fragility fractures were included in the study regardless of gender or race, over the age of 50 years. All patients who did not have these characteristics were excluded. The follow-up lasted four months. Serial questionnaires were applied at admission and in the follow-up consultations at four to eight weeks and at 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Only one patient reported receiving treatment with specific drugs for the disease before hospital admission, resulting in a prevalence of primary chemoprophylaxis of only 2.27%. No patient was prescribed medication for the treatment of osteoporosis after the fracture. The prevalence of risk factors was similar to those found in the literature review.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, the frequency of primary and secondary osteoporosis chemoprophylaxis in patients who were admitted with fragility fractures was low, as well as the early indication of drug treatment after the first fracture. The prevalence of fragility fracture risk factors is similar to those reported in the literature.

Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures in the population older than 50 years. This silent disease affects primarily postmenopausal women and the elderly, and the morbidity and mortality rates are high. The main goal of treating osteoporosis is the prevention of fractures. The identification of populations at risk through early diagnosis and treatment is essential. The last Brazilian guideline for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was elaborated in 2002. Since then, new strategies for diagnosis and risk stratification have been developed, and drugs with novel action mechanisms have been added to the therapeutic arsenal. The Osteoporosis and Osteometabolic Diseases Committee of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, in conjunction with the Brazilian Medical Association and other Societies, has developed this update of the guidelines for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis according to the best scientific evidence available. This update is intended for professionals in many medical and health specialties involved in the treatment of osteoporosis, for physicians in general and for health-related organizations.

Nutrition and osteoporosis prevention for the orthopaedic surgeon: A wholefoods approach

Osteoporosis is a prevalent and debilitating condition with no signs of subsiding. Rising numbers of people consuming nutrient-poor diets coupled with ageing populations and sedentary lifestyles appear to be the main drivers behind this.

While the nutrients calcium and vitamin D have received most attention, there is growing evidence that wholefoods and other micronutrients have roles to play in primary and potentially secondary osteoporosis prevention.

Until recently, calcium and vitamin D were regarded as the main nutrients essential to bone health but now there are emerging roles for iron, copper and selenium, among others.

Fruit and vegetables are still not being eaten in adequate amounts and yet contain micronutrients and phytochemicals useful for bone remodelling (bone formation and resorption) and are essential for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

There is emerging evidence that dried fruits, such as prunes, provide significant amounts of vitamin K, manganese, boron, copper and potassium which could help to support bone health.

Just 50 g of prunes daily have been found to reduce bone resorption after six months when eaten by osteopaenic, postmenopausal women.

Dairy foods have an important role in bone health. Carbonated drinks should not replace milk in the diet.

A balanced diet containing food groups and nutrients needed for bone health across the whole lifecycle may help to prevent osteoporosis.

Greater efforts are needed to employ preventative strategies which involve dietary and physical activity modifications, if the current situation is to improve.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:300-308. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160079