Patient and Provider Characteristics Associated With Optimal Post-Fracture Osteoporosis Management

Am J Med Qual. 2017 Nov/Dec;32(6):644-654. doi: 10.1177/1062860617691123. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

Abstract

Despite an estimated 2 million osteoporosis (OP)-related fractures annually, quality of care for post-fracture OP management remains low. This study aimed to identify patient and provider characteristics associated with achieving or not achieving optimal post-fracture OP management, as defined by the current HEDIS quality measure. The study included women 67 to 85 years of age, with ≥1 fracture, and continuous enrollment in a Humana insurance plan. The study identified a higher percentage of black women in the not achieved group (6.2% vs 5.4%; P < .0001) and Hispanic women in the achieved group (3.0% vs 1.3%; P < .0001). The not achieved group largely included patients residing in the South and urban and suburban areas. The majority of providers were primary care or OP-related specialty, and 66% did not achieve the 4-star OP rating. The study findings can guide development of predictive models to identify at-risk women to improve post-fracture OP management.

Keywords: HEDIS; fracture; osteoporosis; osteoporosis therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Density
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Insurance Claim Review / statistics & numerical data
  • Life Style
  • Osteoporosis / therapy*
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / therapy*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Racial Groups
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents