Originally published November 7 2005
Analysis confirms that osteoporosis screenings are worth the price
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has published findings that suggest osteoporosis screenings for all postmenopausal women is very cost-effective, perhaps signaling an adjustment in the preventive treatment of the disease.
Screening all postmenopausal women for osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones, using bone densitometry and treatment of women found to have this condition is highly cost effective, regardless of age.
"Even among the oldest of the elderly, bone densitometry and treatment of those with osteoporosis is worthwhile," Dr. John T. Schousboe from Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota told Reuters Health.
Schousboe and colleagues investigated the lifetime health benefits and costs from a societal perspective of screening all women 65 years of age or older for osteoporosis, followed by treatment with alendronate (Fosamax) for those with hip density scores indicating bone thinning.
For 85-year-old nursing home residents, the strategy would cost an estimated $7,340 per QALY gained, the investigators observe, and the strategy would be cost saving for 95-year-old nursing home residents.
"Establish better care processes within health care systems.
For example, for those who have an electronic medical record, having prompts to the primary care provider for those postmenopausal women age 65 and older who have not had a bone density test."
"If 'pay for performance' comes on line, having performance of bone densitometry when indicated as one of the criteria by which the quality of a provider's care is judged."
"For nursing homes, having an assessment as to whether or not a prior bone density test has been done at the time of admission as part of the admitting nurse assessment."
"The larger answer may lie in the level of trust the patient has in her provider; better education regarding the health consequences of fractures and the long-term safety record of available medications; and ongoing reinforcement regarding the role medication can play in reducing fracture risk," he said.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml