Investing in more fracture liaison clinics is a cost-effective way to reduce the rate of subsequent fragility fractures, according to a recipient of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) President’s Award.
Professor Kerrie Sanders, from the Institute for Health and Ageing at the Australian Catholic University, told the limbic that management of a fracture typically focused on physical function and recovery.
The underlying problem of poor bone health too often fell through the gaps despite the availability of many services in the community, she said.
“The evidence is unequivocal that fracture liaison clinics are effective and can be cost neutral within two years. They don’t duplicate services but can help make doctors and patients more aware of existing services such as falls prevention programs or DEXA scans, and reinforce the importance of medications and lifestyle change.”
Professor Sanders said only about 30% of patients with a fragility fractures start on medications for their bone health despite the evidence the medications could reduce subsequent fractures by about 50%.
“A lot could be done to prevent that next fracture,” she said.
A report co-authored by Professor Sanders predicted osteoporosis and osteopenia in Australians over 50 years of age would cost the community about $3.84 billion in 2022. State-based reports on the burden of osteoporosis will also be available shortly.
Professor Sanders initially trained as a dietitian but added health economics to her skill set to help determine which interventions provided the best value for money.
“I saw health economics was increasingly relevant to research and to the health system. Given our ageing population, we just can’t afford to be funding everything that is of benefit. Health economics allows for some unbiased decision-making,” she said.
Professor Sanders has collaborated on important work such as the Australian arm of the International Cost and Utility Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study.
The study identified that the loss in quality of life associated with fragility fractures of the hip and spine lasted for at least 18 months. With each fracture resulting in an average loss of 65 days in full health, the findings emphasised the urgent need for cost-effective fracture prevention strategies.
Professor Sanders is on the medical and scientific advisory committees for both Osteoporosis Australia and the IOF.
She was one of seven researchers worldwide recognised for their contribution to the field of osteoporosis and musculoskeletal disease at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases held in Italy last month.