Clin Orthop Surg.  2014 Mar;6(1):56-61. 10.4055/cios.2014.6.1.56.

Influence of Insurance Benefit Criteria on the Administration Rate of Osteoporosis Drugs in Postmenopausal Females

• Lee JH
• Lee YH
• Moon SH
• Lee YS
• The Prevalence of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures in Korean Post Menopausal Women Study Group

• KMID: 1737632
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2014.6.1.56

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Preventive measures need to be implemented to lower the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporotic fractures increase morbidity and mortality as well as impose a socioeconomic burden; however, current research is limited to the administration rates of osteoporosis drugs for Korean postmenopausal females.
METHODS
This study represents a nationwide, observational, and cross-sectional survey that investigates the administration rates of osteoporosis drugs based upon a bone mineral density (BMD) test performed on Korean postmenopausal patients who visited outpatient orthopedic clinics. BMD test results were examined in postmenopausal female patients (50 to 80 years of age); subsequently, the patients were classified into an osteoporosis group, osteopenia group, and normal group. The administration rates of osteoporosis drugs and bisphosphonates were then analyzed. The osteoporosis group was subdivided into a T-score less than -3.0 group and a T-score between -3.0 and -2.5 group that were separately analyzed.
RESULTS
Based on the lumbar spine BMD, the rate of administration of osteoporosis drugs in the osteoporosis group was 42.1%, which was significantly higher compared to the osteopenia group or normal group. A significantly low bone mineral density was observed in patients who were administered bisphosphonates. Based on the lumbar spine BMD, the administration rate of osteoporosis drugs in the group with a T-score between -3.0 and -2.5 (34.2%) was significantly lower than the group with a T-score less that -3.0 (46.2%). The bisphosphonate administration rate was also significantly low; however, the administration rate for osteoporosis drugs was significantly lower than that of the osteopenia group.
CONCLUSIONS
Only about 40% of Korean postmenopausal female patients with osteoporosis were administered osteoporosis drugs. The administration rate in patients with a T-score between -3.0 and -2.5 was particularly low and active treatment to prevent osteoporotic fractures is required in this group.

Keyword

Postmenopausal osteoporosis; Korean; Osteoporosis medication; Bisphophonate; National Health Insurance Service

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bone Density Conservation Agents/*therapeutic use
Cross-Sectional Studies
Drug Prescriptions/*statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Insurance Benefits/*methods
Middle Aged
Osteoporosis/*drug therapy/epidemiology
Republic of Korea
Bone Density Conservation Agents

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