Treatment patterns in patients with osteoporosis at high risk of fracture in Japan: retrospective chart review

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) causes reduced bone strength and increases risk of fractures. Medical records from specialist clinics in Japan of postmenopausal women with OP and high risk of fracture were analysed. Majority of patients were treated for OP as recommended and were prescribed OP medications soon after high-risk OP diagnosis.

Purpose: The incidence of osteoporosis (OP) in Japan is predicted to increase significantly in coming decades. Resultant osteoporotic fractures are a significant contributor of economic and social burden among elderly osteoporosis patients. This retrospective chart review was conducted as a response to the current evidence gap in the treatment patterns for OP patients with high risk of fracture in Japan.

Methods: This was a multi-centre retrospective chart review that analysed data extracted from the medical records of postmenopausal OP patients at high risk for fracture who received care at 11 specialist clinics and medical centers in Japan for at least 18 to 24 months. Main outcome was OP treatment patterns.

Results: The study included 709 eligible patients of whom 623 (87.9%) were prescribed OP medication during the study period. The most common reason for not taking OP medication was patient unwillingness to take medication. The most common OP medications prescribed initially were minodronic acid (20.1%), alendronate (19.9%), raloxifene (14.1%), weekly teriparatide acetate (12.4%) and eldecalcitol (11.4%). Majority of patients (62.1%) were still taking their initial medication at the end of the 18-24 month follow-up.

Conclusions: A high percentage of patients (87.9%) in Japan received OP medications soon after their high-risk diagnosis, with bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators and teriparatide being the predominant treatment options.

Keywords: High risk of fracture; Japan; Osteoporosis; Retrospective chart review; Treatment patterns.