Improving compliance to osteoporosis workup and treatment in postmenopausal patients after a distal radius fracture

Distal radius fracture (DRF) in postmenopausal women is often the first clinical sign of osteoporosis (OP). Despite the availability of effective treatments, only a minority of patients who sustain a fragility fracture are tested for OP. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a simple intervention by the hospital staff increases rates of OP workup.

We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial. Ninety nine patients after DRF were randomized to two groups. Both groups were contacted after their fracture and were asked to answer a questionnaire and were informed about the possible relationship between DRF and OP. In the intervention group, patients were sent an explanatory pamphlet and a letter to their primary care physician. An additional survey was conducted to establish whether the intervention improved the number of patients who undergo OP workup.

The intervention increased the proportion of patients who turned to their primary care physician from 22.9% to 68.6%, and increased the proportion of patients undergoing OP workup from 14.3% to 40% (p < 0.001).

Women with DRF who receive an explanation about possible OP implications and are sent explanatory materials are more likely to undergo OP workup.