Northwell Health researchers found 71 percent of hip fracture patients were never told they have osteoporosis, according to Medical Xpress.
Here are six things to know:
1. Researchers found among older hip fracture patients, there was an alarming level of misinformation and mismanagement regarding osteoporosis.
2. Fifty-seven percent of hip fracture patients said their hospital physicians did not suggest osteoporosis medication after their hip fractures.
3. Of those surveyed, 25 percent said they would reject taking prescribed drugs.
4. While only 12 percent of patients reported having a family history of osteoporosis, researchers noted self-reported family history in this patient population is "notoriously unreliable, and when it is there, they can still get it wrong."
5. Of the 64 percent that reported taking osteoporosis treatment, this regiment consisted of calcium and vitamin D, which study authors considered "useless" at preventing osteoporosis fractures.
6. Following a hip fracture, 38 percent of study participants experienced a fall within a year and 44 percent of these patients sustained an additional fracture.
"There's an enormous amount of misunderstanding about osteoporosis among the public and lack of education from physicians taking care of patients," study authors stated. "Doctors don't talk about it and the perception is that these osteoporosis drugs are dangerous or not effective. Unfortunately, these misperceptions are just incorrect. So a lot of public education needs to be done, but it should start with physicians."
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