For my project, we were able to get a grant from the Rheumatology Research Foundation to investigate the use of injectable medications for osteoporosis in patients after hip fracture in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A hip fracture meeting the criteria for fragility fracture automatically meets criteria for severe osteoporosis which, based on guidelines, indicates a need for injectable or infused osteoporosis medications as first line treatment. Prior research in the community had indicated that up to 80% of patients with severe osteoporosis were still using oral osteoporosis medications or receiving insufficient treatment.
Our research in the VA indicated that approximately 97% of patients after hip fracture were not receiving the first line treatment and were undertreated. We were able to take this data and present it at the Clinical Congress of Rheumatology-West meeting where it placed as a top 10 abstract.
Raising awareness of new guidelines in treating severe osteoporosis will be critical in minimizing fragility fractures and improving quality of life in osteoporotic patients going forward. In addition to getting more research experience, this opportunity also allowed me to gain exposure to the field of rheumatology which has now become a career interest. I am very grateful for the opportunities provided by Dr. Day and the rheumatology department.