Leveraging Hospital Settings to Address the Osteoporosis Treatment Deficiency

By
Annie W. Yang
William W. Hung
Katherine Ritchey
October 5, 2026

Journal Of General Internal Medicine

Overview

A recent study highlights the significant under-treatment of osteoporosis following non-traumatic fractures, with only 6% of treatment-naïve patients receiving antifracture medications.

Background

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern, particularly following non-traumatic fractures, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of effective antifracture medications, treatment initiation remains low, especially in comparison to secondary prevention practices for other conditions such as myocardial infarction.

Data Highlights

Metric	Value
Patients admitted with non-traumatic fractures	~10,000
Percentage of treatment-naïve patients receiving antifracture medication	6%
Percentage of treated patients receiving therapy during hospitalization	77%
Percentage of patients remaining on therapy post-discharge	71%

Key Findings

91% of patients admitted for non-traumatic fractures had not previously received osteoporosis treatment.
Only 6% of treatment-naïve patients received antifracture medication during hospitalization or as outpatients.
77% of patients who received treatment did so during their hospital stay.
Factors associated with reduced likelihood of treatment included male sex, Black race, longer hospital stays, and femur fractures.
Patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities were less likely to receive medication, despite potential benefits.
Most patients who initiated medication during hospitalization continued therapy as outpatients (71%).

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should consider systematic approaches to ensure that osteoporosis is addressed during hospital admissions and transitions to outpatient care.