An efficient case finding strategy to diagnose osteoporosis in a developing society with low treatment frequency

• Published in: Journal of endocrinological investigation 2015-08, Vol.38 (8), p.841-847
• Main Authors: Sørensen, Vibeke Neergaard, Wojtek, Piotr, Pedersen, Dorthe S., Andersen, Stig
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Endocrinology; European Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology; Female; Greenland - ethnology; Humans; Inuits - ethnology; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Diseases; Middle Aged; Original Article; Osteoporosis - diagnostic imaging; Osteoporosis - ethnology; Osteoporosis - therapy; Radiography, Thoracic - methods; Spinal Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Fractures - ethnology; Spinal Fractures - therapy
• ISSN: 1720-8386; 1720-8386
• DOI: 10.1007/s40618-015-0343-2

Objectives Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition with rising frequency of fragility fractures with advancing age. Life expectancy increases in developing societies with the emergence of osteoporosis. There is a need for a simple protocol to diagnose fractures that merit treatment for osteoporosis. Methods Evaluation of all consecutive lateral chest radiographs performed at the National Hospital in the capital city in Greenland over a 3-month period for vertebral body heights at the anterior, middle and posterior regions. Use of anti-osteoporotic drug was evaluated from records of dispensed drugs from Greenland National Pharmacy. Results 1869 vertebrae were evaluated on radiographs from 203 subjects. On average 9.2 vertebrae (range 5–13) qualified for evaluation in each individual. Median (range) age was 55 (30–82) years. Any vertebral deformity above 25 (20) % was seen in 28.6 (50.2) %. More than one fracture was seen in 10.3 (27.1) %. Fractures occurred in 18.5 (36.9) % of patients from the General Medicine Clinic and in 33.3 (56.5) % of inpatients ( p  = 0.029). The occurrence of vertebral fractures increased with age ( p