| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study aimed to describe the characteristics of women treated for recently-diagnosed osteoporosis, to identify variables associated with different treatment regimens and to assess impact on quality of life.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is an observational, cross-sectional pharmacoepidemiological study performed in France. A random sample of 684 general practitioners, gynaecologists and rheumatologists included the first three post-menopausal osteoporotic women consulting in the previous six months on the basis of densitometry or fracture. Data on osteoporosis, fracture risk factors, treatments and comorbidities was collected with a physician questionnaire. Data on quality of life was collected using the SF-12.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data were analysed for 1,306 patients, of whom 1,117 (85.5%) had been evaluated by densitometry within the previous six months and 554 (42.4%) had experienced a fracture, most frequently of the spine or wrist within the previous six months. Osteoporotic fracture risk factors were reported in 1,028 women (78.7%). 746 women (57.1%) were currently receiving treatment, most frequently weekly or monthly bisphosphonates. Five variables were associated with prescription choice: age (<it>p </it>< 0.0001), physician speciality (<it>p </it>< 0.0001), previous fracture history (<it>p </it>= 0.0002), ongoing treatment at the time of consultation (<it>p </it>= 0.0091) and paraclinical investigations performed in the previous six months (<it>p </it>= 0.0060). SF-12 scores were lower in women complaining of pain, with recent fractures and with spine or hip fractures and in women consulting rheumatologists.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A high proportion of women diagnosed with osteoporosis had been evaluated by densitometry, in agreement with national guidelines. Treatment choice varied between physician groups.</p>
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