Attitudes to Osteoporosis and Hormone Replacement Therapy among Elderly Women

This study compares the attitudes toward osteoporosis and its treatment between a group of elderly women admitted to hospital for therapy of an osteoporotic fracture and a control group admitted for joint replacement surgery. We surveyed 97 women (64 with a fracture, and 33 controls) and found that the two groups of patients demonstrated a similar risk factor profile for osteoporosis and poor knowledge of osteoporosis and its available treatments, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT). By selecting a control group of women with no recent fracture, we hoped to highlight the effect of sustaining a recent fracture on attitudes to treatment. Initially only 10% (8 in the fracture group and 2 in the control group) were interested in treatment for osteoporosis, but those women who had been admitted with a fracture were significantly more receptive to education about osteoporosis and to the offer of further investigation and treatment of osteoporosis (38 versus 10, p= 0.007). We conclude that it is worthwhile offering education, screening and treatment to elderly patients who present with a fracture. Received: 11 June 1997 / Accepted: 6 April 1998