Authors: Carolyn M Jachna Jeff Whittle Barbara Lukert Leland Graves Tarun Bhargava
Publish Date: 2003/07/18
Volume: 14, Issue: 8, Pages: 665-671
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if hospitalist consultation during admission for hip fracture results in improved treatment for osteoporosis This was a retrospective chart review carried out in a universitybased academic hospital Administrative discharge data was used to identify patients discharged between 1 September 1999 and 1 September 2001 discharged with the diagnosis of hip fracture Eightytwo patient charts were reviewed after exclusion for traumatic and pathologic fractures Treatment for osteoporosis consisted of medications recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation NOF including calcium ±vitamin D estrogen raloxifene calcitonin alendronate and risedronate Osteoporosis treatment improvement was defined as the addition of a medication for osteoporosis that strengthened treatment Twentynine percent of patients in our study received treatment for osteoporosis at the time of discharge from the hospitalization for hip fracture While 20 received calcium only 7 received a bisphosphonate Twelve percent received improvement in osteoporosis treatment from admission to discharge Those that received hospitalist consultation did not have a significant improvement in osteoporosis treatment P=0314 but had significantly more comorbid illnesses and were significantly older than those receiving no consultation P005 Identification of osteoporosis as a medical problem was significantly associated with osteoporosis treatment P005 Potential barriers to hospitalist consultations effect on osteoporosis treatment included patient age and comorbidities Further research is needed to identify and overcome barriers to effective osteoporosis treatment in patients with fractures
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