Continuous Improvement and the Expansion of Quality ... - NCQA

T H E S TAT E o f H E A l T H C A R E Q U A l I T y 2 0 1 1 • H E D I S M E A S U R E S o f C A R E
oSTEoPoRoSIS MANAGEMENT IN
WoMEN WHo HAD A fRACTURE
osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones that puts patients at risk for bone fracture. 1 fragility
fractures, like those caused by osteoporosis, are associated with chronic pain, skeletal deformities,
loss of independence and increased mortality. 6 by 2012, over 12 million Americans over the age
of 50 are expected to have osteoporosis. 4 The Osteoporosis Management in Women Who Had a
Fracture measure assesses whether women suffering from bone fractures received a bone density
test to determine if bone fragility was the underlying cause of the fracture.
• Women are more likely to develop
osteoporosis than men. Women lose bone
density with age, 2 and a woman over
50 has a 50 percent chance of having
an osteoporosis-related fracture in her
lifetime. 3 once a woman has a fracture,
she is at four times greater risk for another
fracture. 3
• A bone mineral density test is the most
effective method for determining bone
health, and can identify osteoporosis,
determine risk for fractures and assess
response to osteoporosis treatment. 3
The U.S. Preventive Services Task force
recommends that osteoporosis screening
begin at 65 for most women. Women at
increased risk for osteoporotic fractures
should begin screening at age 60. 4
the Case for Improvement
• More than 300,000 hip fractures occur
each year due to osteoporosis. of these,
42,000 people die as a result. 7
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• osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and
undertreated. only one-third of patients
with fragility fractures receive appropriate
testing and treatment for osteoporosis. 6
osteoporosis is asymptomatic in the early
stages of the disease, so most people are
not aware that they have the condition. 6
A fracture may be an indicator of the
presence of osteoporosis. 3,5
• osteoporosis treatment costs $17 billion
annually. 7 Direct medical costs are
predicted to increase to $25.3 billion
annually by 2025. 8 Each year, fragility
fractures are estimated to result in 500,000
hospitalizations, 800,000 emergency
department visits, 2.6 million doctors’ visits
and 180,000 nursing home placements. 9
M E A S U R E S T A R G E T E D A T o l D E R A D U l T S