Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment in hip fracture patients, prior to fracture.

Materials and Methods: We interviewed and reviewed medical files of 127 patients (39 men and 88 women), with an average age of 81.25. All were admitted with a hip fracture caused by minor trauma between February and June 2004. Data was collected regarding previous fractures, DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) examination and previous drug therapy.

Results: 31 patients (24.4%) were previously diagnosed as osteoporotic. 19 patients (15%) had a DEXA examination in the past, and 17 of them were positive. 20 patients (15.7%) were treated with vitamin D and calcium supplements. 11 patients (8.7%) were treated with specific antiosteoporotic drugs. 36 patients (28.3%) had a previous fracture within 10 years, including 18 hip fractures. In 19 patients information about fractures could not be obtained due to dementia. Of this 36, only 7 (19.4%) had a DEXA examination, and 14 (38.9%) were diagnosed as osteoporotic. 5 patients in this group (13.9%) were treated with an antiosteoporotic drug.

Conclusions: Investigation and treatment of osteoporosis in elderly population is insufficient. Even after suffering a fracture, most elderly people are not investigated for bone density. In patients who are diagnosed as osteoporotic, only one third are treated with specific drugs.