Healthcare Professionals Overlook The Relevance Of Fractures - Failing To Diagnose And Treat Underlying Osteoporosis
Clinical studies have shown that once a patient experiences an osteoporotic fracture, that patient’s risk of experiencing another fracture within 1 year is increased by 20%. Fractures also cause significant increases in morbidity and mortality
Crownsville, MD (PRWEB) May 12, 2005 -- On May 1st, Osteoporosis Awareness
Month, the Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board sent Back Breaking News (attached) to
10,OOO healthcare providers emphasizing the need to improve fracture treatment.
The U.S. Surgeon General estimates roughly 1.5 million people a year suffer a
bone fracture related to osteoporosis.
"....physicians who diagnose and
treat fractures are not evaluating patients with acute fractures for the
presence of osteoporosis and are not prescribing calcium, vitamin D, or specific
pharmacological therapy to reduce future fractures," said Dr. Marc Hochberg of
the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His comments were included in an
article he co-authored for the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
in August 2003.
The members of the Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board are
committed to educating physicians and the lay public on how to assess, diagnose
and treat osteoporosis. According to Dr. Michael Bolognese, the board's
chairman, "the board is entering its sixth year of existence and the members are
more dedicated then ever. Today we see more primary care physicians involved in
osteoporosis patient discussions and treatment than we did six years ago.
However, fracture patients remain under-diagnosed and under-treated to prevent
future fractures."
A recent analysis of the Pennsylvania (PACE) Medicare
drug benefit program from 1994 to 2000 supports this lack of attention to
fractures. (American Journal of Medicine, October 2003) Over the 6 year study
period 21,000 patients developed either a hip or wrist fracture. Forty nine (49)
percent of the 21,000 had a prior fracture.
Over time there was a slight
increase in therapeutic intervention after fracture, but by the study end only 1
out of 5 patients were taking an osteoporosis medication in the six months
following fracture. According to author Dr. Daniel Solomon, "It appears that
many doctors and patients do not recognize that fracture is a key event that
should alert us to the presence of osteoporosis, a condition with very effective
treatment options."
To curb the osteoporosis "epidemic," doctors should
order bone density scans for older Americans who suffer bone fractures. The bone
mineral density test is a painless scan in which patients lie on a table and are
scanned by a machine that measures spine and hip bone density. It takes about
five to ten minutes and involves a very small amount of radiation. The National
Osteoporosis Foundation provides these clear guidelines for physicians ordering
a bone mineral density (BMD) test:
BMD testing should be performed
on:
1. All women aged 65 and older regardless of risk factors.
2. Younger
postmenopausal women with one or more risk factors (other than being white,
postmenopausal, and female).
3. Postmenopausal women who have suffered
fractures (to confirm diagnosis and determine disease severity)
Women
over 50 years of age who suffer a bone fracture should request that their
physicians order a bone mineral density test to determine if they have
osteoporosis.
Note to Media: The members of the Mid Atlantic
Osteoporosis Board (see complete list below) will be available for media
interviews during the month of May. Call 410-923-6591 to schedule an interview.
Visit their website to see the entire issue of Back Breaking News and additional
information, www.midatlanticosteo.org.
About Us: The principal
mission of the MAOB is to change this perception by improving the standard of
care provided by healthcare professionals throughout the District of Columbia,
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia; simultaneously
enhancing public awareness.
Established in 1999, the MAOB is a
non-profit Maryland based 501(C)3 corporation comprised of specialists involved
in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. These clinical experts represent
various fields of medicine ranging from rheumatology to obstetrics and
gynecology. To date, the MAOB has sponsored and conducted clinical trials, which
have gained them both national and international recognition. Their commitment
to the medical community is demonstrated through the provision of free
Continuing Medical Education activities available in print and lecture format to
over 15,000 physicians. In addition, the MAOB has improved public consciousness
by developing Women’s Osteoporosis Educational Programs, whereupon 1,000s of
free bone density heel scans were provided.
Contact Info: Contact: Dr.
Michael Bolognese
Phone: 410-923-6591
Alternate Phone Number:
703-725-7390
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots
URL: www.midatlanticosteo.org
Additional:
Company: Mid
Atlantic Osteoporosis Board
Country: United States
Contact: Dr. Michael
Bolognese
Website: www.midatlanticosteo.org
Bus E-Mail: e-mail protected from
spam bots
Phone: 410-923-6591
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb238809.htm