Half the burden of fragility fractures in the community occur in women without osteoporosis. When is fracture prevention cost-effective?

Abstract

To determine the age- and BMD-specific burden of fractures in the community and the cost-effectiveness of targeted drug therapy, we studied a demographically well-categorized population with a single main health provider. Of 1224 women over 50 years of age sustaining fractures during 2 years, the distribution of all fractures was 11%, 20%, 33%, and 36% in those aged 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ years, respectively. Osteoporosis (T score 60 years) as criteria for intervention reduces the population burden of fractures by 28% and is cost-effective but solutions to the prevention of the remaining 72% of fragility fractures remain unavailable. © 2006.