Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by bone mass loss and disruption of the micro-architecture of trabecular bone resulting in a predisposition to fracture. The disease costs our health care system over $18 billion dollars each year. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) estimates that nearly 52% of Caucasian and Asian women and 49% of Latino women are at risk for low bone mass (osteopenia) and osteoporosis (2002). The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of osteoporosis risk assessment of postmenopausal Latino women by primary care providers. Medical charts of 254 randomly selected women were reviewed, with 182 meeting the inclusion criteria of having had a primary care visit within the last 18 months and being post-menopausal. Of these 182 charts, 160 were considered to be at risk for osteoporosis by NOF guidelines. Of these 160 women, only 16 (10%) had a bone mineral density test ordered. Interestingly, female physicians, residents or nurse practitioners ordered 87.5% (p<0.1) of the tests. Research is needed regarding interventions designed to improve osteoporosis screening behaviors by primary care providers according to established guidelines.
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