Pharmacists Improving Osteoporosis Management in Long-Term Care Using Fracture Risk Assessments: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Objectives

The primary outcome of this study is to test the feasibility of pharmacists completing Fracture Risk Scale (FRS) assessments using resident data routinely held by long-term care (LTC) facilities. Secondary outcomes are to ascertain the proportion of residents assessed as high fracture risk who currently receive osteoporosis medicines and explore whether under- or overuse of osteoporosis medicines is occurring based on residents' fracture risk.

Design

Feasibility study.

Setting and Participants

Four LTC facilities from southeast Queensland, Australia, with a total of 281 residents participated in the study during April and May 2024.

Methods

A pharmacist reviewed individual resident files for all residents of participating facilities. Necessary data were extracted from resident files to determine their fracture risk using the FRS manual calculation tool. Residents' use of osteoporosis medicines and nutritional supplements (vitamin D and calcium) was analyzed based on their calculated fracture risk.

Results

FRS assessments were completed for 275 residents (97.9%). There were 149 residents (54.2%) assessed as having a high fracture risk, of which 43 (28.9%) were prescribed an osteoporosis medicine. Conversely, 28 residents (22.2%) with a low fracture risk received an osteoporosis medicine. Underuse of vitamin D and calcium supplements was found for all residents, irrespective of fracture risk.

Conclusions and Implications

The feasibility of pharmacists completing FRS assessments was demonstrated. Incorporating the FRS into routine clinical practice provides a promising means to support pharmacists advising on osteoporosis prescribing decisions for LTC residents. Widespread underuse of vitamin D and calcium for all LTC residents and the underuse of osteoporosis medicines by residents with a high fracture risk were found. Future research is necessary to establish if incorporating the FRS into clinical practice can address this undertreatment and reduce fracture rates in LTC.