Osteoporosis in the community: Sensitivity of self-reported estimates and medication use of those diagnosed with the condition

T K Gill; A W Taylor; C L Hill; P J Phillips

doi:10.1302/2046-3758.15.2000039

Osteoporosis in the community: Sensitivity of self-reported estimates and medication use of those diagnosed with the condition

Bone Joint Res. 2012 May 1;1(5):93-8. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.15.2000039. Print 2012 May.

Authors

T K Gill¹, A W Taylor, C L Hill, P J Phillips

Affiliation

¹ The University of Adelaide, Population Research and Outcome Studies, Discipline of Medicine, 122 Frome Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of self-reported osteoporosis compared with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) defined osteoporosis, and to describe medication use among participants with the condition.

Methods: Data were obtained from a population-based longitudinal study and assessed for the prevalence of osteoporosis, falls, fractures and medication use. DXA scans were also undertaken.

Results: Overall 3.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2 to 4.5) of respondents and 8.8% (95% CI 7.5 to 10.3) of those aged ≥ 50 years reported that they had been diagnosed with osteoporosis by a doctor. The sensitivity (those self-reporting osteoporosis and having low bone mineral density (BMD) on DXA) was low (22.7%), although the specificity was high (94.4%). Only 16.1% of those aged ≥ 50 years and with DXA-defined osteoporosis were taking bisphosphonates.

Conclusions: The sensitivity of self-reporting to identify osteoporosis is low. Anti-osteoporotic medications are an important part of osteoporosis treatment but opportunities to use appropriate medications were missed and inappropriate medications were used.

Keywords: BMD; Bisphosphonates; Bone mineral density; Osteoporosis; Population; Self-reporting.

Grants and funding

TKG is currently a National Health and Medical Research Council Early Career Fellow (Australian Public Health, ID: 1013552). This study was supported by funding from The Hospital Research Foundation: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the University of Adelaide, and SA Health.