Expert Consensus on the Management of Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in the Spanish Healthcare System

Introduction

The management of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) in routine clinical practice differs considerably from guideline recommendations. The objective of our study was to reach a consensus on the management of PMO, considering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, according to expert opinion in Spain.

Methods

A two-round Delphi technique was conducted, including 38 experts. The questionnaire contained 35 sections, each one including 1–10 questions (n = 308) based on a literature review and contributions from the scientific steering committee. Each question was scored by experts from the current (1 = no occurrence, 9 = occurrence in all cases), wish (1 = total rejection; 9 = wish) and prediction (1 = no occurrence at all; 9 = occurs with maximum probability) perspectives. Consensus (wish and prediction perspectives) was considered when ≥75% of experts scored 7–9 (agreement) or 1–3 (disagreement).

Results

Overall, consensus was achieved on 75% of questions. While protocols of clinical management and consultation/referral should be followed, their implementation is unlikely. Furthermore, the medical specialties currently involved in PMO management are poorly defined. PMO patients without fracture should be managed (prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up) in both primary care and rheumatology settings; however, experts predicted that only treatment and follow-up will be assumed by these specialties. A multidisciplinary team should be involved in patients with fracture. No assessment tools are usually applied, and prediction indicated that they will not be used.

Conclusion

Efforts should be focused on questions with high divergence between wishes and predictions, defining actions that will improve PMO management. Collaboration between scientific societies and health authorities to address the identified opportunities of improvement is proposed.

Funding

Amgen S.A.