Screening Could Help Prevent Fractures in Long-Term Care
Residents A new study from the University of Pittsburgh School
of Medicine demonstrates that screening strategies vary widely —
from 17 to 98 percent — in identifying women residing in nursing
homes who are eligible for treatment of osteoporosis. Led by
Susan Greenspan, M.D., professor of medicine at Pitt, the study
sought to identify nursing home patients who would benefit from
pharmacologic treatment of osteoporosis, which could decrease
their risk for bone fractures. Osteoporosis is a disease that
causes bones to become weak and break easily. “Osteoporosis in
the frail elderly can have devastating consequences, but we have
yet to perfect a system for identifying those patients who would
benefit most from the treatment,” Dr. Greenspan said. Learn more
at http://bit.ly/xfbezs.