Strategies for Better Identification and Management of Osteoporosis, with E. Michael Lewiecki, MD

There are significant barriers that contribute to a significant gap in the treatment of osteoporosis, the most important of which is that most high-risk patients are not identified. Osteoporosis screening is often overlooked and even when fractures do occur, they are not always attributed to osteoporosis. Therefore, most patients with fractures, including hip fractures, do not receive a diagnosis of osteoporosis and subsequent evaluation and treatment to reduce the risk of future fracture. Additionally, adherence to osteoporosis treatment is low, with many patients not taking their medications long enough to benefit.

In an interview with HCPLiveE. Michael Lewiecki, MD, director of the New Mexico Osteoporosis and Clinical Research Center, discusses his 2024 CCR East presentation regarding the significant gap in osteoporosis treatment and barriers to care.

This treatment gap is so serious that it has been deemed a crisis in osteoporosis care, prompting the health care community to call for action to improve the identification and treatment of osteoporosis. high-risk patients. Unfortunately, progress in this area remains slow.

One promising approach, Lewiecki explained, is the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), a systematic method of identifying patients with fractures, usually in a hospital setting. FLS coordinators, often nurse practitioners or physician assistants, follow up with these patients after discharge to ensure they receive the evaluation and treatment needed to reduce the risk of future fracture.

Another effective strategy is the Bone Health ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program. This virtual community connects healthcare professionals around the world via Zoom meetings, allowing them to present cases, discuss them, and learn how to better manage osteoporosis. This program supports both osteoporosis experts and beginners, helping local doctors become proficient in osteoporosis care. Since its inception at the University of New Mexico in 2015, 19 Bone Health ECHO programs have been established internationally, providing training in different time zones and languages.

When it comes to treating osteoporosis, Lewiecki believes that any treatment is better than none, but some treatments are more effective than others. Fracture risk stratification is crucial, particularly in health insurance settings where step therapy requires starting with the least expensive medication.

Disclosures: Lewiecki has no disclosures to report.