Are Men at High Risk for Osteoporosis Underscreened? A Quality Improvement Project

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Osteoporosis significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in both sexes.
• Men with hip fractures face a higher mortality rate (37.5% within 1 year) compared to women.
• Screening guidelines for osteoporosis are less defined for men than for women, despite recommendations for high-risk individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance osteoporosis screening rates by 50% in high-risk men within a primary care setting.
• To identify and address barriers to osteoporosis screening in male veterans.

Main Methods:

• Assessed baseline osteoporosis screening rates in high-risk male veterans (over 50) at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
• Identified high-risk factors: prolonged steroid use, hypogonadism, and autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, SLE).
• Surveyed healthcare trainees and nurses to understand screening barriers, followed by awareness-building initiatives.

Main Results:

• The initial screening rate for osteoporosis in high-risk men was 11%.
• Following targeted surveys and awareness campaigns, the screening rate increased to 20%.

Conclusions:

• Osteoporosis remains under-screened in high-risk male populations.
• Educational interventions and awareness programs for healthcare professionals, including trainees and nurses, are effective in improving screening rates for osteoporosis in men.