Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of osteoporotic patients admitted in internal medicine wards in Italy between 2010 and 2016 (the REPOSI Register)

To evaluate clinical features, treatments, and outcomes of osteoporotic patients admitted to internal medicine and geriatric wards compared with non-osteoporotic patients (REPOSI registry).

We studied 4714 patients hospitalized between 2010 and 2016. We reported age, sex, educational level, living status, comorbidities and drugs taken, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), Barthel Index, Short-Blessed Test, 4-item Geriatric Depression Scale, serum hemoglobin, creatinine, and clinical outcomes. Osteoporosis was defined based on the diagnoses recorded at admission, according to the following ICD9: 733, 805–813, 820–823.

Twelve percent of the patients had a preadmission diagnosis of osteoporosis. Only 20% of these had been prescribed oral bisphosphonates; 34% were taking vitamin D supplements. Osteoporotic patients were significantly older, with lower BMI, higher CIRS, and taking more drugs. They were significantly more depressed, less independent, with a higher severity of cognitive impairment compared with non-osteoporotic patients. At discharge, the number of patients receiving treatment for osteoporosis did not change. Length of stay and inhospital mortality did not differ between groups. Osteoporotic patients were more frequently nonhome discharged compared with those without osteoporosis (14.8 vs. 7.9%, p = 0.0007), mostly discharged to physical therapy or rehabilitation (8.8 vs. 2.5% of patients, p < 0.0001). Among osteoporotic patients deceased 3 months after discharge, the number of those treated with vitamin D, with or without calcium supplements, was significantly lower compared with survivors (12 vs. 32%, p = 0.0168).

The diagnosis of osteoporosis is poorly considered both during hospital stay and at discharge; osteoporotic patients are frailer compared to non-osteoporotic patients.