Effects of Recommended Consultation Practice Using Fracture Risk Assessment Tool and Fracture Evaluation Questionnaire for Early Detection of Osteoporosis at Community Pharmacies

As one of the strategies for the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis, we have recommended visiting a hospital, based on the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®) and evaluation questionnaire for osteoporotic fracture risk. In this study, we evaluated the impact of intervention by community pharmacists by integrating our data for the FRAX® and questionnaire. The measurement of FRAX® and the questionnaire survey were conducted through participation in health seminars organized by a community general support center from June 2018 to December 2019. Participants with a FRAX® score more than 15% and at least one item in the questionnaire were considered to have "suspected osteoporosis" were recommended medical consultation. The medical treatment status for the participants considered to have "suspected osteoporosis" aged 40-90 years were analyzed. Of the 84 participants, 54 had a FRAX® score more than 15%, and 44 participants fulfilled at least one item in the questionnaire. Medical consultation was recommended to 26 of these 44 participants, excluding 18 under treatment. Of the 25 participants, six (excluding one who disagreed) received consultation, and medical treatment was started for four of them (66.7%). However, consultation with the attending physician was recommended to five of the 18 participants who were initially on treatment but discontinued it at the time of the survey. Consequently, two participants resumed their osteoporosis treatment. Our data suggest advantages of community pharmacists' intervention using FRAX® and a questionnaire for osteoporotic fracture risk measurement for early detection and medical treatment.