Fracture incidence and changes in quality of life in women with an inadequate clinical outcome from osteoporosis therapy: the Observational Study of Severe Osteoporosis (OSSO)

Abstract

In this observational study of women with an inadequate clinical outcome to osteoporosis therapy, those with a fracture at baseline were more likely to sustain an incident fracture and have a worse health-related quality of life than those without prior fracture.

Introduction: The Observational Study of Severe Osteoporosis (OSSO) was designed to assess the fracture incidence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with an inadequate clinical outcome to osteoporosis therapy.

Methods: Post-menopausal women (N=1,885) with established osteoporosis and an inadequate clinical response to osteoporosis drug therapy defined as: a) a fragility fracture despite therapy for one year (index fracture, N=988), or b) discontinued drug therapy due to adverse effects and/or non-compliance (N=897), were assessed during one year for HRQoL using the EQ-5D and the QUALEFFO questionnaires.

Results: One hundred and sixty-six (8.8%) women had a total of 209 incident fractures (1,139 fractures/10,000 women-years). Women with an index fracture were more likely to sustain an incident fracture than those without prior fractures (hazard ratio 1.91; 95% CI: 1.37-2.66; p<0.001). Co-morbidities or antidepressant use at baseline also increased the risk of incident fracture. Median total EQ-5D Health State Values and QUALEFFO scores were worse in women with an incident fracture regardless of index fracture status. The worst scores were reported in the EQ-5D sub-domains of self-care, usual activities and pain/discomfort.

Conclusions: Women with an inadequate response to osteoporosis therapy had a high rate of incident fracture which had an adverse impact on HRQoL.