ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine clinical efficacy of Korean FRAX model with respect to prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk and eligibility of osteoporosis treatment in Korean patients with hip fractures. MATERIALS & METHODS: In 41 elderly patients with a proximal femoral fracture (mean age=78.7 years, range: 63~99 years), fracture probabilities were calculated using FRAX models from Korea and Japan. We then performed comparative analyses between ten-year probabilities of major / hip osteoporotic fractures and the osteoporosis treatment eligibilities based on the FRAX model from Korea and Japan. RESULTS: The mean ten-year probabilities of major osteoporotic fractures and hip fractures using the Korean FRAX model (11.5% and 5.9%, respectively) were significantly lower than those using the Japanese FRAX model (21.5% and 9.2%, respectively, P<0.001). In addition, based on the National Osteoporosis Foundation guideline, pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis would be recommended in 38 patients (92.7%) by the Japanese FRAX model, while only in 30 patients (73.2%) by the Korean FRAX model (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Korean FRAX model might underestimate osteoporotic fracture probabilities and eligibility of osteoporosis treatment in Korean patients with hip fracture.