Osteoporosis: Point-of-Care Testing

Community pharmacist-initiated screening program for osteoporosis: randomized controlled trial

SUMMARY

This study evaluated the effect of a multifaceted intervention (screening and patient education) by community pharmacists on testing or treatment of osteoporosis. One hundred and twenty-nine patients randomized to receive the intervention were compared to 133 patients who did not receive the intervention. Twice as many patients who got the intervention received further testing or treatment for osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a community pharmacist screening program on testing and treatment of osteoporosis.

METHODS

In this randomized, controlled trial, 262 patients meeting bone mineral density (BMD) testing guidelines [men or women aged > or = 65 years or 50-64 years with one major risk factor including previous fracture, family history of osteoporosis, glucocorticoids for > 3 months, or early menopause] were allocated to intervention (129) or control (133). Intervention consisted of printed materials, education, and quantitative ultrasound. Primary outcome was a composite endpoint of BMD or prescription for osteoporosis medication within 4 months.

RESULTS

Primary endpoint of BMD or osteoporosis treatment was achieved by 28 intervention patients (22%) compared with 14 controls (11%) (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-3.7). This was driven by BMD testing (28 (22%) vs. 13 (10%) for controls, p = 0.011). Calcium intake increased more among intervention patients than controls (30% vs. 19%, RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.5). There was no effect on knowledge or quality of life.

CONCLUSION

A pharmacist screening program doubled the number of patients tested for osteoporosis. Nevertheless, many patients eligible for BMD did not receive appropriate care suggesting more intensive interventions are needed.

Stepwise Approach to Developing Point-of-Care Testing Services in the Community/Ambulatory Pharmacy Setting

OBJECTIVE

To provide a stepwise approach to development and implementation of a point-of-care testing (POCT) patient care service.

SETTING

Community and ambulatory care pharmacy practice.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

To provide community and ambulatory pharmacists with the steps involved in integrating POCT services into their pharmacy practice site.

PRACTICE INNOVATION

Authors used various resources to detail the process of implementing pharmaceutical care in community or ambulatory pharmacy settings in combination with individual practice experiences. The five steps involved in developing a POCT service include conducting a needs assessment, researching and organizing information, developing program materials, implementing the service, and evaluating the service. The narrative description of each step is illustrated by a case study example.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Not applicable.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

POCT patient care services are a valuable addition to a pharmacy's services, benefiting patients, health care providers, and the pharmacy. This article presents a structured, deliberate approach with resources that can be used to develop a successful POCT service within a community or ambulatory pharmacy setting.

Open-label pilot study comparing quantitative ultrasound and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) might be at high risk for bone disease. Decreased functional kidney mass contributes to renal osteodystrophy, which might be exacerbated by certain drug therapies. Long-term (> or = 6 months) corticosteroid treatment is commonly prescribed in patients with glomerular disease, possibly causing bone loss both indirectly and directly, putting the patient at increased risk for fracture. The dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the current "gold standard" for measuring osteoporosis-related fractures and works by passing ultrasound waves through bone to determine the structural anisotropy in the heel.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot study was designed to determine whether there is a correlation between DXA and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in detecting corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.

METHODS

This open-label pilot study was conducted at the Medical Center Nephrology Clinic, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York. Female patients aged > or = 18 years with a diagnosis of CKD and/or a history of kidney transplantation and who were receiving long-term corticosteroid treatment were enrolled. Each patient served as her own control and underwent DXA of the hip and spine (DXA-hip and DXA-spine, respectively) and QUS of the dominant and nondominant heels (QUS-dominant and QUS-nondominant, respectively), within 1 week so that conditions were similar in each patient.

RESULTS

Eight patients were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 50.2 [11.2] years). A positive correlation was found between DXA-hip and QUS-nondominant (r2=0.76; P=0.009); however, no correlation was found with DXA-spine. Similarly, a positive correlation was found between DXA-hip and QUS-dominant (r2=0.75; P=0.009), but no correlation with DXA-spine was found (r2=0.22).

CONCLUSION

In this small, selected population, QUS showed a fair correlation with DXA-hip but no correlation with DXA-spine. Further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness in other populations.

Comparison of the Achilles Express ultrasonometer with central dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

BACKGROUND

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) devices provide portable, easy-to-operate, low-cost options for point-of-care screening of bone mineral density (BMD). Community pharmacists should be aware of the precision, sensitivity, and specificity of these devices prior to their purchase.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the precision, sensitivity, and specificity of the Achilles Express ultrasonometer compared with central dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (cDXA) as well as its utility as a bone density screening device in the community pharmacy setting.

METHODS

A prospective study in a community pharmacy and outpatient ambulatory clinic was conducted with 2 groups of white women. Group 1 participants were 25-35 years of age (young, healthy), and those in Group 2 were 45 years of age or older (postmenopausal). BMD assessments of the spine and the nondominant wrist and hip were performed using cDXA. Assessments of the heel were performed using the Achilles Express, a QUS device. The main outcome measures were correlation of t-scores between cDXA and QUS measurements using the Pearson correlation test.

RESULTS

Twenty-two (30 +/- 4 years of age) and 31 (55 +/- 17 years of age) women were enrolled into Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Significant correlations between QUS and hip and spine cDXA t-scores were found in both groups. Correlation coefficients for QUS versus hip cDXA were 0.51 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.77) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.46 to 0.85) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Correlation coefficients for the QUS versus spine cDXA were 0.64 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.84) and 0.60 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.79) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The QUS device has a sensitivity level of 88% and specificity of 71% to detect a hip cDXA t-score of less than-1.

CONCLUSIONS

The Achilles Express ultrasonometer is a reasonable screening tool to detect low BMD in postmenopausal women.

Engaging students in wellness and disease prevention services

Pharmacy education has traditionally focused on medications and treatment of disease. However, as an accessible health care professional, pharmacists can influence healthy behaviors in their patients. Encouraging/promoting healthier lifestyles in the United States is essential because the leading causes of mortality are tobacco use, poor nutrition, and inactivity. In order to prepare pharmacists for this role, student pharmacists must be taught how to implement and deliver wellness and prevention services. Community advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) occur at an ideal point in the curriculum to engage students in these activities. This article provides preceptors with guidance and tools for restructuring the community APPE at their sites to incorporate wellness and disease prevention activities.

Osteoporosis Screening and Education in Community Pharmacies Using a Team Approach

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To develop a model for osteoporosis screening and education in community pharmacies using a team approach, compare bone mineral density T-scores between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and determine patient satisfaction with this pharmacist-provided osteoporosis screening and education program.

DESIGN

Prospective, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Community pharmacies and outpatient family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Amarillo, Texas.

PATIENTS

Women aged 55 years or older with no previous diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia who had at least one additional risk factor for osteoporosis and had not been screened in the previous 3 years.

INTERVENTION

Patients were referred from family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology clinics to a community pharmacy. Osteoporosis screening using heel QUS and education regarding disease prevention and treatment were provided by pharmacists. Screening results, recommendations for confirmatory DXA, and potential treatments options were provided to the referring physicians.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 100 patients (mean age 66.2+/-7.9 yrs) were enrolled in the study; three were subsequently excluded. Of the 97 study patients who were screened using QUS, 45 (46%) patients were at moderate risk (T-score<-1 to>-2.5) and nine (9%) were at high risk (T-score<or=-2.5). Of 54 patients recommended for DXA referral, 20 (37%) completed the scan. All 20 were diagnosed with either osteopenia (9 patients [45%]) or osteoporosis (11 patients [55%]). Correlation was moderate between T-scores obtained by QUS and DXA of lumbar vertebrae 1-4 (r=0.45, p=0.026). Counseling regarding risk factors, screening results, smoking cessation, calcium intake, exercise, and caffeine intake was perceived by patients as valuable or highly valuable (medians for all items ranged from 4-5 on a 5-point Likert scale). Of 84 patients assessed (13 were lost to follow-up), 81 (96%) said they would recommend this service to others.

CONCLUSION

Osteoporosis screening and education in community pharmacies are effective in detecting undiagnosed disease and are perceived by patients as highly useful.