PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Automated system could efficiently identify high-risk osteoporosis patients

2014-01-29
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Matthew Solovey
msolovey@hmc.psu.edu
717-531-8606
Penn State
Automated system could efficiently identify high-risk osteoporosis patients An automated system that identifies high-risk osteoporosis patients being treated for fractures and can generate letters encouraging follow-up is an effective way to promote osteoporosis intervention and prevent future fractures, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. The researchers identified patients at least 50 years old with fractures who were seeking medical help at the emergency department of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. They then analyzed treatment codes to find fractures that seemed to be from bone fragility -- a broken bone caused by a fall from standing height or less. In all, 103 patients were identified. To do this, researchers received data monthly from the hospital's finance department, which was used to autopopulate a spreadsheet created specifically to screen for osteoporosis. This database was then screened further to remove patients whose injuries were not consistent with fragility fractures. Letters were then computer-generated and mailed to the final list. Evidence suggests that less than 30 percent of postmenopausal women and less than 10 percent of men with a prior fragility fracture are treated for osteoporosis. "Our almost fully automated osteoporosis system identifies these patients, requires minimal resources -- many of which are already currently in U.S. hospitals, but just need to be tapped -- and delivers substantially improved osteoporosis intervention results," said Edward Fox, professor of orthopedics. Patients were sent a letter within three months of their emergency room visit that explained that they may be at risk for osteoporosis and encouraged them to schedule an appointment with their doctor or the hospital's bone health clinic. A follow-up phone call was placed three months after the letter, asking if follow-up treatment had occurred. For comparison, a group of 98 patients who did not receive letters were also contacted by phone six months after being treated in the emergency department for a fragility fracture. These patients were asked if they were being treated or had plans for follow-up after their fracture. Of those who received letters, 60 percent had followed up. Only 14 percent of those who did not receive a letter had, or planned, follow-up care. Results were published in Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation. Past research has been conducted on osteoporosis intervention programs, but the majority of programs have lacked automation or could be difficult to implement in an average hospital. Since it is automated, this system reduces the potential for human error in identifying high-risk patients. Nationally, osteoporosis contributes to more than 2 million fractures per year. "Progressive bone fragility leads to greater risk for fractures," Fox said. "Hospitals treat fragility fractures, but they have no system in place to evaluate those same patients for osteoporosis to prevent the next fracture. This study's results are better than no letter or doing nothing, which is what most hospitals are doing, including the one piloting our program before it started this program." Future studies should examine the effectiveness of using both a phone call and a letter to improve follow-up rates. ### Other researchers on this project are Matthew Varacallo, a member of the Penn State College of Medicine class of 2013; Emmanuel Paul, Susan Hassenbein and Pamela Warlow, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Voice may change after rhinoplasty, reports plastic and reconstructive surgery

2014-01-29
Philadelphia, Pa. (January 28, 2014) – Patients who have undergone plastic surgery to change the appearance ...

Agent Orange linked to skin cancer risk, reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

2014-01-29
Philadelphia, Pa. (January 28, 2014) –Vietnam War veterans with prior exposure ...

Watches up in Australia as NASA sees System 99P developing

2014-01-29
NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the tropical low pressure area designated as System 99P and infrared data shows that the low is getting organized. Meanwhile, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology posted ...

Future directions for landmark diabetes study in journal Diabetes Care

2014-01-29
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 28-Jan-2014 [ | E-mail ] var addthis_pub="eurekalert"; var addthis_options = "favorites, delicious, digg, facebook, twitter, google, newsvine, reddit, slashdot, stumbleupon, buzz, more" Share Contact: George Stamatis george.stamatis@uhhospitals.org 216-844-3667 University Hospitals Case Medical Center Future directions for landmark diabetes study in journal Diabetes Care UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital diabetes physician-researcher charts course for Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and Epidemiology of Diabetes ...

Targeted tutoring can reduce 'achievement gap' for CPS students, study finds

2014-01-29
High school students who were at risk for dropping out greatly improved their math test scores and school ...

Caffeine use disorder: A widespread health problem that needs more attention

2014-01-29
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan 28, 2014) -- "I'm a zombie without my morning coffee." "My blood type is ...

New molecule protects brain from detrimental effects linked to diabetes and high blood sugar

2014-01-29
Researchers at the Hebrew university of Jerusalem have created ...

'Chameleon of the sea' reveals its secrets

2014-01-29
Cambridge, Mass. – January 28, 2014 – Scientists at Harvard University and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) hope new understanding ...

Low levels of pro-inflammatory agent help cognition in rats

2014-01-29
SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 28, 2014) — Although inflammation is frequently a cause of disease in the body, research from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio ...

Animal model demonstrates role for metabolic enzyme in acute myeloid leukemia

2014-01-29
BOSTON ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Decoding the secrets of ‘chemo brain’

‘Far from negligible’: New Australian fossil fuel site will have major impact on people and the planet

UK heatwaves overwhelm natural ecological safeguards to increase wildfire risk

Key ExoMars Rover part ships from Aberystwyth

90% of Science Is Lost: Frontiers’ revolutionary AI-powered service transforms data sharing to deliver breakthroughs faster

Skin symptoms may forewarn mental health risks

Brain test predicts ability to achieve orgasm – but only in patients taking antidepressants

‘New reality’ as world reaches first climate tipping point

Non-English primary language may raise risk of delirium after surgery, study finds

Children fast from clear liquids much longer before surgery than guidelines recommend, large study shows

Food insecurity, loneliness can increase the risk of developing chronic pain after surgery

Cesarean delivery linked to higher risk of pain and sleep problems after childbirth

New global burden of disease study: Mortality declines, youth deaths rise, widening health inequities

Chemobiological platform enables renewable conversion of sugars into core aromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum

Individualized perioperative blood pressure management in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Proactive vs reactive treatment of hypotension during surgery

Different types of depression linked to different cardiometabolic diseases

Ketogenic diet may protect against stress experienced in the womb

Adults 65 years and older not immune to the opioid epidemic, new study finds

Artificial intelligence emerging as powerful patient safety tool in pediatric anesthesia

Mother’s ZIP code, lack of access to prenatal care can negatively impact baby’s health at birth, new studies show

American Society of Anesthesiologists honors John M. Zerwas, M.D., FASA, with Distinguished Service Award

A centimeter-scale quadruped piezoelectric robot with high integration and strong robustness

Study confirms that people with ADHD can be more creative. The reason may be that they let their mind wander

Research gives insight into effect of neurodegenerative diseases on speech rhythm

Biochar and plants join forces to clean up polluted soils and boost ecosystem recovery

Salk scientist Joseph Ecker awarded McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies

ADHD: Women are diagnosed five years later than men, despite symptoms appearing at the same age.

Power plants may emit more pollution during government shutdowns

Increasing pressures for conformity de-skilling and demotivating teachers, study warns

[Press-News.org] Automated system could efficiently identify high-risk osteoporosis patients