Missed osteoporosis screening puts stroke survivors at fracture risk

By American Heart Association News

Close-up of bone with osteoporosis
(Alfred Pasieka/Science Photo Library, Getty Images)

Stroke survivors are at risk for osteoporosis, broken bones or falling. Yet many aren't screened for such dangers, which may increase the odds they'll suffer fractures, a new study says.

Stroke survivors often have to cope with reduced mobility, which decreases bone mineral density, making bones more fragile. The risk of someone suffering a fracture within a year of having a stroke is up to four times greater than for someone without a history of stroke.

In the new study, published Thursday in the American Heart Association's journal Stroke, researchers looked at data from 16,581 stroke survivors age 65 and older who either had visited the emergency department or had been hospitalized for strokes between 2003 and 2013 in Ontario, Canada.

Only 5.1% of those people received bone mineral density testing. One year after their stroke, only 15.5% of them had been prescribed medications to prevent fractures.

"This study offers more evidence that there is a missed opportunity to identify people with stroke at increased risk of fractures, and to initiate treatment to prevent bone loss and fractures," the study's lead author Dr. Moira Kapral, professor of medicine and director of the division of general internal medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada, said in a news release.

The authors noted their study was conducted in a province that provides payment for osteoporosis testing and treatment, so the results may not be generalizable to places without similar health care coverage.

Previous research has shown that, at most, only about one-quarter of older women in the United States are screened for osteoporosis, with treatment rates as low as 30% even in high-risk groups.

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones to the point where they break easily. According to the National Institute on Aging, osteoporosis can strike at any age but is most common among older people, especially older women.

Weak bones mean that a simple fall can cause a break, which can require surgery or, in the case of a hip fracture, result in a lengthy period of immobility.

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


American Heart Association News Stories

American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in American Heart Association scientific journals or presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the American Heart Association’s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Association’s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.