Feasibility of an interprofessional collaborative osteoporosis screening programme in Malaysia

• Published in: International journal of clinical pharmacy 2020-02, Vol.42 (1), p.11-17
• Main Authors: Toh, Li Shean, Lai, Pauline Siew Mei, Low, Bee Yean, Wong, Kok Thong, Anderson, Claire
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Bone density; Bone mineral density; Calcium; Collaboration; Feasibility Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Internal Medicine; Interprofessional Relations; Intersectoral Collaboration; Malaysia - epidemiology; Mass Screening - methods; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - diagnostic imaging; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - epidemiology; Pharmacy; Post-menopause; Short Research Report
• ISSN: 2210-7703; 2210-7711
• DOI: 10.1007/s11096-019-00960-x

Background Population screening for osteoporosis using bone mineral density scan is not feasible in Malaysia as this test is costly. Hence, there is a need to develop a more efficient method to screen for osteoporosis. Objectives To determine the feasibility of an interprofessional collaborative osteoporosis screening programme (IPC-OSP). Methods Postmenopausal women aged ≥ 50 years, who had not been diagnosed with osteoporosis were recruited from a primary care clinic from June to August 2014. Patients were assessed for their osteoporosis risk and were counselled on prevention methods. Patients at risk were referred to the doctor with a recommendation for a bone mineral density (BMD) scan. Results Fifty out of 55 patients were recruited (response rate = 90.9%). A total 26/50 (52.0%) went for a bone mineral density scan, none were osteoporotic, 17/50 (34%) were osteopenic, 2/50 (4.0%), were started on osteoporosis medications and 14/50 (28%) modified their lifestyle to improve bone health or started on calcium supplements. Osteoporosis knowledge significantly increased from baseline to month two (46.3 ± 21.4 vs. 79.1 ± 14.3, p