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Defense Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Pharmacy

First Advisor

Dr. Norman V. Carroll

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To compare and contrast patients that receive treatment following an osteoporotic fracture to those patients that do not. METHODS:Data were taken from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS). Subjects who reported a wrist, vertebral, or hip fracture were identified. Prescription data were assessed for these subjects and two groups were identified: those who received treatment following a fracture and those who did not. RESULTS:The final sample consisted of n=129 subjects. Of these subjects, only 38% received treatment following an osteoporotic fracture. The only variable showing significant effects on treatment were type of insurance coverage. There was evidence of a relationship for other variables: race, inability to obtain necessary prescription medicines, family income, vertebral fracture and patient's perceived health.CONCLUSIONS: Overall treatment rates following a fracture remain low. Substantial efforts should be made to close the gap between guideline recommendations and clinical practice.

Comments

Part of Retrospective ETD Collection, restricted to VCU only.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

June 2008

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