Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA
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We report on a Canadian longitudinal qualitative case study of midlife women with fragility fractures, their treating orthopaedic surgeons and family physicians. ⋯ Communication about events, acuity and clear expectations around roles and follow-up is urgently needed to improve communication throughout the circle of care to support secondary fracture prevention. Fractures from a standing height or similar trauma in women aged 40 to 65 should be treated as suspicious fractures and followed-up to investigate the underlying bone condition. This article reports on challenges and barriers to clear communication among women, their orthopaedic surgeons and family physicians that is necessary for follow-up and prevention of future fractures.
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Comparative Study
Incidence and costs of hip fractures compared to acute myocardial infarction in the Italian population: a 4-year survey.
Few data are available about the incidence and costs of hip fractures in Italy. We aimed to determine the impact of hip fractures vs. acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ⋯ This study shows that in the Italian population aged >or=45, hospitalizations following hip fracture and AMI between 1999 and 2002 were comparable, while hip fractures' direct costs were higher and grew faster than costs for AMI. Hip fractures in Italy are a serious medical problem and a leading health-cost driver.