University Orthopaedic Associates’ Patricia Seuffert, MS, APN and Drs. Carlos A. Sagebien and Matthew McDonnell were recognized in the American Orthopaedic Association’s Bone Health Bulletin for their published study on osteoporosis. The study, which involved patient education and treatment for osteoporosis, was published in the February 2016 issue of the Archives of Osteoporosis.

Evaluation of Osteoporosis Risk and Initiation of a Nurse Practitioner Intervention Program in an Orthopedic Practice

Nearly 50 percent of adults over the age of 50 have low bone mineral density, but many patients with osteoporosis are not taking calcium, vitamin D, or any active treatment. Researchers conducted a study to identify if low adherence to osteoporosis treatment is due to lack of patient education. A total of 242 females and 105 males were studied as a control, and a total of 292 females and 155 male were studied in an education-intervention group by receiving educational materials and counseling from a nurse practitioner. Patients had a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry performed, and patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia were followed to assess treatment. At 12 months, patients received follow-up phone calls to determine patient use of calcium, vitamin D, and/or an active treatment. The researchers discovered that significantly more patients began calcium and vitamin D after education, and significantly more patients were taking or were recommended for an active treatment after education. However, 30 percent of patients either did not follow up or refused active treatment for osteoporosis, and approximately 50 percent of patients with osteoporosis were not taking an FDA-approved pharmacologic agent for osteoporosis treatment, despite education. The researchers concluded that resistance to care continues in this unique population of patients despite patient education and referral to endocrinology.

From “Evaluation of Osteoporosis Risk and Initiation of a Nurse Practitioner Intervention Program in an Orthopedic Practice”
Archives of Osteoporosis (02/04/2016) Vol. 11, No. 10 Seuffert, P.; Sagebien, C.A.; McDonnell, M.; et al.