Influence of insurance benefit criteria on the administration rate of osteoporosis drugs in postmenopausal females

Background: Preventive measures need to be implemented to lower the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporotic fractures increase morbidity and mortality as well as impose a socioeconomic burden; however, current research is limited to the administration rates of osteoporosis drugs for Korean postmenopausal females. Methods: This study represents a nationwide, observational, and cross-sectional survey that investigates the administration rates of osteoporosis drugs based upon a bone mineral density (BMD) test performed on Korean postmenopausal patients who visited outpatient orthopedic clinics. BMD test results were examined in postmenopausal female patients (50 to 80 years of age); subsequently, the patients were classified into an osteoporosis group, osteopenia group, and normal group. The administration rates of osteoporosis drugs and bisphosphonates were then analyzed. The osteoporosis group was subdivided into a T-score less than -3.0 group and a T-score between -3.0 and -2.5 group that were separately analyzed. Results: Based on the lumbar spine BMD, the rate of administration of osteoporosis drugs in the osteoporosis group was 42.1%, which was significantly higher compared to the osteopenia group or normal group. A significantly low bone mineral density was observed in patients who were administered bisphosphonates. Based on the lumbar spine BMD, the administration rate of osteoporosis drugs in the group with a T-score between -3.0 and -2.5 (34.2%) was significantly lower than the group with a T-score less that -3.0 (46.2%). The bisphosphonate administration rate was also significantly low; however, the administration rate for osteoporosis drugs was significantly lower than that of the osteopenia group. Conclusions: Only about 40% of Korean postmenopausal female patients with osteoporosis were administered osteoporosis drugs. The administration rate in patients with a T-score between -3.0 and -2.5 was particularly low and active treatment to prevent osteoporotic fractures is required in this group.