Telecarers improve osteoporosis treatment and compliance rates in secondary osteoporosis prevention for elderly hip fracture patients

INTRODUCTION@#A significant treatment gap has been observed in patients with osteoporosis. Our previous audit found a 31.5% rate of anti-osteoporosis medication initiation after fragility fractures at one year. We piloted the use of telecarers to monitor osteoporosis treatment and compliance.@*METHODS@#From January 2017 to January 2018, all hip fracture patients at Changi General Hospital, Singapore, were automatically enrolled into the Health Management Unit valued care hip fracture programme. Telecarer calls were scheduled at discharge, 3, 6 and 12 months. We assessed the acceptability, completion and treatment rates of patients enrolled in this programme.@*RESULTS@#A total of 537 patients with a hip fracture were enrolled in the telecarer programme over one year. Their average age was 79.8 ± 8.23 years, and 63.1% of them were female. A total of 341 patients completed 12 months of follow-up, of which 251 (73.6%) patients were on treatment at 12 months. The most common cause of lack of initiation of secondary osteoporosis treatment was patient or family rejection (34.4%), followed by physician failure to prescribe (24.4%) and renal impairment (24.4%). 16.7% of patients were deemed to have advanced dementia with a life-limiting illness and were, thus, deemed unsuitable for treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#Telecarers may be a useful adjunct in the monitoring of osteoporosis treatment after hip fractures in an elderly population. The main limitations are patient or family rejection and physician inertia. Further studies should focus on a combination of interventions for both patients and physicians to increase awareness of secondary fracture prevention.

Persistent bilateral atypical femoral fractures in an antiresorptive-naïve Singaporean Chinese patient with Graves’ Disease / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are rare adverse effects of bisphosphonate therapy. We report an unusual case of bilateral diaphyseal AFFs in an antiresorptive-naïve Singaporean Chinese female with Graves’ disease. She presented with complete right AFF requiring surgical fixation, and persistent left incomplete AFF for over four years. Femoral bowing, varus femoral geometry, and ethnic influence likely contributed to the AFFs’ formation. This case may provide insights into the pathogenesis of AFFs in high-risk Asian populations.

Management of Bone Fragility in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

@#Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) are recognised to have a higher risk of fragility fractures. With the increasing prevalence of DM2 in Singapore and an ageing population, the impact of DM2 on fragility fracture is expected to rise. The aim of this article is to review updated information on bone fragility and fracture risk in DM2 patients, to discuss the impact of diabetes treatment on bone metabolism, as well as the efficacy of anti-osteoporosis treatments for this population. An algorithm is proposed for the identification and management of DM2 patients at increased fracture risk.

PHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a common problem encountered inprimary care. Mortality and long-term morbidity isassociated with almost all types of symptomaticosteoporotic fractures. Local data suggests thatosteoporosis remains undiagnosed and undertreated.Primary care physicians play a central role in closing thegap for osteoporosis treatment with the opportunity todiagnose, investigate, and treat these patients effectively.In this article, we explore different pharmacologicaloptions in the treatment of osteoporosis, including therole of calcium and vitamin D, antiresorptive agents,hormonal therapy, and anabolic treatment options.

PILL Series. Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is common and may contribute to osteopenia, osteoporosis and falls risk in the elderly. Screening for vitamin D deficiency is important in high-risk patients, especially for patients who suffered minimal trauma fractures. Vitamin D deficiency should be treated according to the severity of the deficiency. In high-risk adults, follow-up serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration should be measured 3-4 months after initiating maintenance therapy to confirm that the target level has been achieved. All patients should maintain a calcium intake of at least 1,000 mg for women aged ≤ 50 years and men ≤ 70 years, and 1,300 mg for women > 50 years and men > 70 years.