The Design and Validation of a New Algorithm to Identify Incident Fractures in Administrative Claims Data.

Our study validated a claims-based algorithm for the identification of incident and recurrent fractures in administrative data. We used Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) claims from 2005 to 2014 linked to the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) database. Case qualifying (CQ) fractures were identified among participants with ≥12 months of fee-for-service coverage before first fracture claim and ≥6 months after.

Race Plays a Role in the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Women with Osteoporosis.

Using a concurrent mixed methods design, we investigated how knowledge, attitudes, values, and beliefs among women with osteoporosis can explain racial disparities in bone health. We recruited African American and White women ≥ 65 years of age with osteoporosis to participate in focus groups. We quantitatively compared scores of the "Osteoporosis & You" knowledge scale and each domain (internal, powerful others, and chance) of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale by race using t tests.

Using tablet computers compared to interactive voice response to improve subject recruitment in osteoporosis pragmatic clinical trials: feasibility, satisfaction, and sample size.

Introduction: Pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) provide large sample sizes and enhanced generalizability to assess therapeutic effectiveness, but efficient patient enrollment procedures are a challenge, especially for community physicians. Advances in technology may improve methods of patient recruitment and screening in PCTs. Our study looked at a tablet computer versus an integrated voice response system (IVRS) for patient recruitment and screening for an osteoporosis PCT in community physician offices.

Identification and validation of vertebral compression fractures using administrative claims data.

Introduction: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common type of osteoporotic fracture. Administrative claims data might be useful to identify VCFs, but this approach to case finding has received limited evaluation.

Methods: Using the administrative claims databases of a large regional US health care organization, we identified adults with a claim with a VCF diagnosis code from January 2003 to June 2004 and excluded persons with malignancy.

Treatment with alendronate plus calcium, alendronate alone, or calcium alone for postmenopausal low bone mineral density.

Objective: Bisphosphonates such as alendronate are widely used for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Supplemental calcium is also generally recommended. This trial directly compares alendronate to supplemental calcium and examines the effect of calcium supplementation on alendronate treatment.

Challenges in improving the quality of osteoporosis care for long-term glucocorticoid users: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: In light of widespread undertreatment for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), we designed a group randomized controlled trial to increase bone mineral density (BMD) testing and osteoporosis medication prescribing among patients receiving long-term glucocorticoid therapy.

Methods: Using administrative databases of a large US health plan, we identified physicians who prescribed long-term glucocorticoid therapy to at least 3 patients. One hundred fifty-three participating physicians were randomized to receive a 3-module Web-based GIOP intervention or control course.

Alendronic acid produces greater effects than risedronic acid on bone density and turnover in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis : results of FACTS -international.

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of alendronic acid once weekly relative to risedronic acid once weekly on bone mineral density (BMD), markers of bone turnover and tolerability in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Methods: This was a randomised, double-masked, double-dummy multicentre international study (75 centres in 27 countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific). A total of 1303 women were screened and 936 with low bone density (T-score < or = -2.

Patients with osteoporosis prefer once weekly to once daily dosing with alendronate.

Objectives: Once weekly dosing of alendronate has been shown to provide equivalent efficacy to once daily dosing for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Whether patients will prefer weekly dosing to daily dosing for a chronic condition such as osteoporosis has not been studied. The aim of this international study was to assess preference for the weekly or daily dosing regimen of alendronate among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Alendronate prevents loss of bone density associated with discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Many women using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will discontinue HRT and lose its bone-protective effect. Methods to preserve bone density in these women need to be explored. This multicenter, international, randomized, blinded, 12-month study was conducted to assess the effect of alendronate sodium on bone density in women who had recently discontinued HRT.

Performance of risk indices for identifying low bone density in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To examine the ability of 4 published osteoporosis risk indices to identify women with low bone density.

Subjects And Methods: Subjects included postmenopausal women 45 years and older consecutively recruited from US clinics, women from general practice centers in The Netherlands (age range, 50-80 years), women in the Rotterdam Study (The Netherlands) 55 years and older, and women aged 55 to 81 years old screened for a clinical trial of alendronate. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the femoral neck or lumbar spine; T scores represent the number of SDs below the mean for young healthy women.

Alendronate improves bone mineral density in elderly women with osteoporosis residing in long-term care facilities. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Many elderly female residents of long-term care facilities have osteoporosis and could benefit from intervention to increase bone density.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of alendronate for treatment of osteoporosis in elderly female residents of long-term care facilities.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-year study.