Optimal Management of Women With Wrist Fractures

Queen's University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Osteopenia; Osteoporosis

Treatments: Procedure: Educational Material and Reminder

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00226031

KTS-62358

Details and patient eligibility

About

To evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention (reminder and educational material) in improving the evaluation of osteoporosis follow-up care of post-menopausal women with wrist fractures by their primary care physicians. The intervention is directed at improving the gap in continuity of care between emergency/fracture clinics and family physicians, and reducing knowledge gaps.

Full description

Numerous studies have demonstrated that women with wrist fractures have lower bone mineral density. Despite new guidelines for the care of such women, research has shown that they are not generally evaluated for osteoporosis. This care gap exists although it is known that wrist fractures are an important marker for subsequent fractures, such as a hip fracture, which represents a significant socio-economic burden to society.

Comparison: Cluster randomized trial of women and their physicians, both of whom receive educational material and reminder on post fracture osteoporosis evaluation. Comparison is to women and their physicians who receive standard post fracture information. Family practices are randomized to intervention or non-intervention group.

Enrollment: 270 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Postmenopausal women with low trauma distal radius fracture (confirmed by x-ray).
2. Can be taking Didrocal (etidronate), Miacalcin (calcitonin),or hormone replacement therapy .

Exclusion criteria

1. Women with fractures of the elbow, mid radius, scaphoid, or injury to wrists (without actual fracture).
2. Significant cognitive impairment (which would preclude them from filling out simple questionnaires).
3. Women already taking osteoporosis therapy, ie. either Fosamax (alendronate), Actonel (risedronate), or the selective estrogen receptor modulator, Evista (raloxifene).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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270 participants in 2 patient groups

1

Active Comparator group

Description:

Usual care.

Treatment:

Procedure: Educational Material and Reminder

2

Experimental group

Description:

Mailed reminder with a summary of osteoporosis screening and treatment guidelines sent to the family physician and a letter and educational package for the women.

Treatment:

Procedure: Educational Material and Reminder