Thany Seyok, Jamie E Collins, Cole Hodys, Samantha J Erikson, Samantha Perez Menendez, Brandon E Earp, Julia F Charles
This study assessed patient demographic factors associated with nonattendance for osteoporosis evaluation after being referred to our Bone Health Clinic (BHC), a hospital-based outpatient Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), for a fragility fracture. 507 patients sustaining a fragility fracture were referred to the BHC over a 39-month period. Retrospective chart review was conducted to capture osteoporosis evaluation attendance rates and demographic factors (age, gender, race, area deprivation index, insurance type, and fracture type). A post-fracture follow-up visit with either the BHC or another provider in which osteoporosis was noted in the assessment was considered attendance for osteoporosis evaluation. Nonattendance was determined at a cutoff of one year after the fracture date. Of the 507 patients referred to the BHC following a fragility fracture, 177 patients attended osteoporosis evaluation with either the BHC or a primary care provider. Nonattendance was associated with older age (=0.0075), having private health insurance (=0.0434), and recent hip fracture ( < 0.0001). Attendance was associated with having government health insurance (=0.0103). Inpatient evaluation and treatment for osteoporosis should be considered in patients who are older or have sustained a hip fracture as they may have more difficulty attending post-fracture appointments.
