INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the following in patients treated for low energy hip fractures: 1) whether they were using osteoporosis preventative therapy before admission to hospital; 2) whether therapy was initiated before discharge from hospital; 3) the therapy used; and 4) whether they were referred for follow-up treatment for osteoporosis after discharge. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of medical journals on patients with a hip fracture, brought into the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1997-1998. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six patients, 80% women and 20% men with an average age of 80.7 years, were hospitalised during this period. Twenty patients had specific risk factors for developing osteoporosis, five patients of whom were taking osteoporosis preventative therapy. On admission, eight patients were in treatment. One patient started treatment during the hospital stay. Forty percent of the patients on discharge were referred for treatment by their GP or at the Department of Internal Medicine. DISCUSSION: Of the patients brought into the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery with low energy hip fractures, 6.2% were given the relevant medical treatment for osteoporosis on discharge from hospital, and only one of these patients started osteoporosis preventative therapy during the stay. As the study shows that 14% of the patients had specific risk factors for developing osteoporosis, only 25% of whom started treatment before admission to hospital, we find a need for osteoporosis preventative therapy in this group of patients.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the following in patients treated for low energy hip fractures: 1) whether they were using osteoporosis preventative therapy before admission to hospital; 2) whether therapy was initiated before discharge from hospital; 3) the therapy used; and 4) whether they were referred for follow-up treatment for osteoporosis after discharge. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of medical journals on patients with a hip fracture, brought into the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1997-1998. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six patients, 80% women and 20% men with an average age of 80.7 years, were hospitalised during this period. Twenty patients had specific risk factors for developing osteoporosis, five patients of whom were taking osteoporosis preventative therapy. On admission, eight patients were in treatment. One patient started treatment during the hospital stay. Forty percent of the patients on discharge were referred for treatment by their GP or at the Department of Internal Medicine. DISCUSSION: Of the patients brought into the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery with low energy hip fractures, 6.2% were given the relevant medical treatment for osteoporosis on discharge from hospital, and only one of these patients started osteoporosis preventative therapy during the stay. As the study shows that 14% of the patients had specific risk factors for developing osteoporosis, only 25% of whom started treatment before admission to hospital, we find a need for osteoporosis preventative therapy in this group of patients.