Doeltreffende opsporing van osteoporose in de Fractuur- en osteoporosepolikliniek in Groningen; analyse na de eerste 100 patiënten

To analyse the results from a fracture and osteoporosis (FO) outpatient clinic in order to achieve efficient case-finding for osteoporosis in patients of 50 years and older with a fracture due to low-energy trauma.

Design

Descriptive.

Method

Following the publication of new professional guidelines for case-finding and treatment of osteoporosis, an FO outpatient clinic was opened at the University Hospital of Groningen, the Netherlands, to which patients of 50 years and older with a fracture due to low-energy trauma could be referred for further diagnosis and treatment after initial treatment for trauma. Bone-mineral density of the lumbar spine, hip and distal radius was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients with manifest osteoporosis, defined as having a fracture and a T-score ≤ –2 SD at one of the measured sites, were put on medication. The results from the first 100 patients were analysed.

Results

In the first five months 74 (116/156) of the patients were seen in the FO clinic. In January 2004 the first 100 patients completed the diagnostic process. A total of 67 patients had manifest osteoporosis, 20 osteopenia and 13 had normal bone density. Furthermore, 48 of the patients between 50 and 60 years old had manifest osteoporosis. Unrecognised vertebral fractures were found in 21 patients. Forty-three percent of patients with manifest osteoporosis had low 25-OH-vitamine D levels (< 30 nmol/l). Eleven patients were sent to the Department of Internal Medicine on indication of secondary osteoporosis.

Conclusion

The FO outpatient clinic proved to be effective and useful for identifying and treating a population at risk of osteoporosis.