Multifaceted interventions targeting high-risk patients and their primary care providers may improve the management of osteoporosis , but improvements are often clinical ly modest
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of primary care interventions to improve the detection and treatment of osteoporosis .
Community pharmacist-initiated screening program for osteoporosis: randomized controlled trial
Summary This study evaluated the effect of a multifaceted intervention ( screening and patient education ) by community pharmacists on testing or treatment of osteoporosis . One hundred and twenty-nine patients r and omized to receive the intervention were compared to 133 patients who did not receive the intervention . Twice as many patients who got the intervention received further testing or treatment for osteoporosis . Introduction The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a community pharmacist screening program on testing and treatment of osteoporosis . Methods In this r and omized , controlled trial , 262 patients meeting bone mineral density ( BMD ) testing guidelines [ men or women aged ≥ 65 years or 50–64 years with one major risk factor including previous fracture , family history of osteoporosis , glucocorticoids for > 3 months , or early menopause ] were allocated to intervention ( 129 ) or control ( 133 ) . Intervention consisted of printed material s , education , and quantitative ultrasound . Primary outcome was a composite endpoint of BMD or prescription for osteoporosis medication within 4 months . Results Primary endpoint of BMD or osteoporosis treatment was achieved by 28 intervention patients ( 22 % ) compared with 14 controls ( 11 % ) ( RR 2.1 , 95 % CI 1.1–3.7 ) . This was driven by BMD testing ( 28 ( 22 % ) vs. 13 ( 10 % ) for controls , p = 0.011 ) . Calcium intake increased more among intervention patients than controls ( 30 % vs. 19 % , RR 1.6 , 95 % CI 1.0–2.5 ) . There was no effect on knowledge or quality of life . Conclusion A pharmacist screening program doubled the number of patients tested for osteoporosis . Nevertheless , many patients eligible for BMD did not receive appropriate care suggesting more intensive interventions are needed
Multifaceted interventions targeting high-risk patients and their primary care providers may improve the management of osteoporosis , but improvements are often clinical ly modest
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of primary care interventions to improve the detection and treatment of osteoporosis .