Profile of patients with osteoporotic fractures and factors that decrease prevention

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients with osteoporotic fractures compared to patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and identify factors that diminish adherence to secondary prevention. Methods: A total of 108 patients with osteoporotic fractures (OF) were compared to 86 patients with OA. Results: Patients in the OF group were older (p < 0.001); had a lower body mass index (p < 0.001); were less literate (p = 0.012); were more frequently Caucasian (p = 0.003); were less frequently married (p < 0.001); experienced more falls, cognitive deficiency, previous fractures, old fracture, falls in the last year, and fall fractures; needed more help and took more medicine for osteoporosis (p < 0.05); and showed less pathology in the feet, muscle weakness, less vitamin D intake, and lower Katz & Lawton scores (p < 0.001). Factors that increased the chance of nonadherence included older age (p = 0.020), falls (p = 0.035), cognitive deficiency (p = 0.044), and presence of depression/ apathy/confusion (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patient age, ethnicity, marital status, previous falls, foot pathologies, muscle weakness, previous fractures, use of vitamin D, use of osteoporosis drugs, and lower Katz & Lawton scale score defined the OF group. Factors that increased the chance of nonadherence included older age, sedative use, cognitive disorders, and symptoms of depression/ apathy/confusion. Level of Evidence III, Case-control.