Bone Health Medication Following Low Energy Thoracic and Lumbar Fractures.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Geriatrics
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Low-energy thoracic and lumbar spine fractures in patients aged 50+ indicate osteoporosis and treatment eligibility.
• Current data on osteoporosis treatment rates and influencing factors in these patients is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the success rate of anti-osteoporosis treatment initiation in eligible patients with spine fractures.
• To identify factors associated with the successful initiation of bone health treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 409 patients (≥50 years) with Type A spine fractures from low-energy trauma (2015-2021).
• Data abstracted included clinical, radiographic, sociodemographic, and medication details.
• Successful treatment defined as new initiation, addition, or switch of bone health agents within 90 days of injury.
• Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used.

Main Results:

• Only 10% (41/409) of patients initiated successful osteoporosis treatment within 90 days.
• Surgical intervention was the sole factor significantly associated with receiving bone health treatment.
• Patients treated surgically had over a 3-fold increased odds of receiving osteoporosis treatment (OR 3.35).

Conclusions:

• Appropriate osteoporosis treatment following low-energy spine fractures is infrequent.
• Active involvement by spine surgeons enhances the likelihood of patients receiving necessary bone health medications.
• This suggests surgeon engagement as a potential scalable intervention to improve osteoporosis care.