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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Joachim Kugler1, Joerg Klewer1, and Harald Seelbach2. (1) Public Health, Dresden Medical School, IMIB-Fetscherstr. 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany, +49-351-3177217, Jokugler@aol.com, (2) Dept. of Health Economics, University of Osnabrück, Albrechtstraße 30, Osnabrück, 49076, Germany
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in elderly people, with fractures of the femur neck and vertebral bones. Despite the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis in Western countries, comprehensive studies evaluating medical care, quality of life and illness-related costs in patients with osteoporosis are still lacking. In collaboration with the German Osteoporosis Association, the self-help organization for patients, anonymous questionnaires on health care situation and quality of life were mailed to all members. 1225 patients (average age: 67 years; 96% females) returned their questionnaires. In average, the responding patients suffered since 10 years from osteoporosis. Less than 50% reported having no fractures. In more than 80% of the patients the diagnosis was confirmed by x-ray and analysis of bone density. Around 53% reported being treated by a specialist in orthopedics, more than 40% mentioned additional treatment by a general practitioner, and 30% received treatment from physicians and gynecologists. Approximately 60% took calcium tablets, less than 50% were taking vitamin D and only 24% got pyrophosphates. Around 33% of the patients reported to spend more than 25 USD monthly due to osteoporosis. A negative correlation between the amount of money spent to ease illness-related problems and general quality of life was found. The results point to the problem, that medical care for patients with osteoporosis even in a country like Germany has to be improved and standardized. Major goal should be reduction of fractures and illness-related costs in patients with osteoporosis, finally to increase their quality of life.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Quality of Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.