[Osteoporosis in traumatology. Prevalence and management]

Publication

[Osteoporosis in traumatology. Prevalence and management]

Journal Paper/Review - May 1, 2005

Vogel T, Dobler Thomas, Bitterling H, Biberthaler P, Kanz K-G, Pfeifer K-J, Bartl R, Mutschler W

Citation

Vogel T, Dobler T, Bitterling H, Biberthaler P, Kanz K, Pfeifer K, Bartl R, Mutschler W. [Osteoporosis in traumatology. Prevalence and management]. Der Unfallchirurg 2005; 108:356-64.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (Deutsch)

Journal

Der Unfallchirurg 2005; 108

Publication Date

May 1, 2005

Issn Print

0177-5537

Pages

356-64

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND: A fracture occurring in osteoporosis is a sentinel event but very rarely leads to bone mineral density (BMD) measurement or sufficient drug therapy. We designed an algorithm to evaluate BMD in older fracture patients and tested it for sustainability as well as acceptance among trauma/orthopedic surgeons. METHODS: For a 1-year period a prospective BMD test was carried out in women older than 50 and men older than 75 years of age with fractures. The commencement and conduction of therapy during the initial hospital stay and rehabilitation were also analyzed. RESULTS: From 228 members of the eligible age groups, 169 patients (74.1%) underwent BMD measurement. According to the WHO definition 71.6% showed reduced BMD in terms of osteoporosis and 24.3% in terms of osteopenia. In 84% therapy was started during initial hospital stay in 74.4% conducted during rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of older patients exhibited reduced BMD as a substantial underlying cause of their fracture. A standardized clinical plan can help to identify and treat most patients with fragility fractures.