Patterns of osteoporosis treatment change and treatment discontinuation among commercial and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug members in a national health plan.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Multiple treatments are available for osteoporosis; however, little is known about treatment change patterns and associated factors. Osteoporosis treatment change patterns, discontinuation and factors associated with treatment change in members of a large national health plan were examined.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 7315 commercial and 34 146 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) members newly initiated on an osteoporosis medication between 2006 and 2008.