Elderly Health

Osteoporotic fractures are a common phenomenon among older adults, with incidence increasing as the population ages. An estimated nine million osteoporotic fractures are diagnosed globally each year (1,2). In approximately half of the cases, permanent functional impairment persists after the fracture, and one in four cases results in transition to a nursing home or death within a year. A first osteoporotic fracture is a significant risk factor for a subsequent fracture (3), making secondary prevention critically important. Currently, several drug treatments—such as bisphosphonates, teriparatide, and denosumab—have been shown to be effective in preventing additional fractures (4,5). However, according to U.S. data, fewer than one-quarter of elderly individuals who suffer a hip fracture receive appropriate pharmacological therapy for secondary prevention (6). These findings highlight the need for a national quality indicator to assess the adequacy of drug therapy following a hip fracture to prevent future fractures.