THE ROLE OF THE PHYSICIAN IN THE DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH FRACTURES OF THE RADIUS
Introduction: fracture of distal part of forearm at a low level of a trauma with women in the age of 50 and elder is the index to osteoporosis and serves as reason to get tested for the diagnosis of OP. However, osteoporosis isn’t often diagnosed and treated with patients with such localization of fracture. The purpose: to estimate of detection and treatment of osteoporosis at the patients of senior age group with fracture of distal part of forearm and influence of traumatologist’s information on their changes. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in two stages. At the first stage a retrospective analysis of a sample of 104 patients aged 50 years and older who underwent fracture of distal part of forearm with a low level of injury was conducted. At the second stage a controlled trial with the inclusion of 121 women aged 50 years and older with fracture of distal part of forearm obtained with a low level of injury was carried out. The patients of intervention group (56 patients, the median age was 61.3 ± 8.6) received information about osteoporosis, assignment to densitometry and recommendation of treatment from traumatologist. The patients of control group (65 patients, the median age was 63.5 ± 8,1) were conducted as it was established in practice of the department of traumatology. There was a questioning of all patients who had been included in investigation after 6 months since fracture. Osteoporosis investigation and treatment were estimated at both stages. Results: osteoporosis was identified in 18 (17.3%) patients, densitometry was performed in 6 (5.8%) patients, calcium and D3 were taken 13 (12.5%) patients, medications of pathogenic action - 2 (1.9%) patients in a retrospective study. By the results of the second phase of the study densitometry was performed in 26 (46.4%) patients of intervention group and 2 (3.1%) patients of control group, р<0.0001. 31 (55.4%) patients of intervention group and 23 (35.4%) patients of control group began to take calcium and D3, p=0,0276. 7 (12.5%) patients of intervention group and 2 (3.1%) patients of control group began the treatment with pathogenetic medications, p=0.051, in 6 months pathogenetic medications took 12.5 % persons of intervention group and 1.5 % patients of control group, p=0.018. Conclusion: the patients with fracture of distal part of forearm at a low level of a trauma concern to group of the high risk of osteoporosis, but most of them remain without corresponding examination and treatment. Information about osteoporosis, assignment to densitometry and recommendation by treatment from traumatologist is an effective way to motivate patients to perform densitometry and start treatment.