OBJECTIVES: Hip fractures have been recognized as the most serious consequence of osteoporosis. A prior hip fracture is a well-documented risk factor for subsequent hip fractures and evidence demonstrates that effective anti-osteoporosis medications may reduce hip fracture risks. This study aims to examine incidence of hip fractures and treatment rate of post-fracture osteoporosis medication in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis in Taiwan.

METHODS: Taiwanese national health insurance database within Ministry of Health and Welfare was used for this analysis. Subjects who were postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older and had a diagnosis of a hip fracture between 2010 and 2014 were included. The first diagnosis date of a hip fracture was defined as the index date for each study subject. Study subjects with a hip fracture diagnosis during the year prior to the index date were excluded. Post-hip-fracture treatment was assessed for receiving following anti-osteoporosis medications within 6 months after the index date: alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronate, teriparatide, raloxifene, and denosumab. Treatment rate was estimated overall and by the index year.

RESULTS: Total number of incident hip fractures was 47,951 during the study period. Mean age for patients with a hip fracture was 78 years old. Number of hip fractures increased from 2010 to 2014: 8,343 in 2010, 9,893 in 2011, 9,456 in 2012, 9,927 in 2013, and 10,332 in 2014. The overall post-fracture treatment rate for the entire study period was 26.4%, and was relatively stable in individual years: 29.7% in 2010, 24.4% in 2011, 24.2% in 2012, 26.2% in 2013, and 27.7% in 2014.

CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of hip fractures increased from 2010 to 2014. Despite of abundant evidence showing benefit of reducing subsequent fracture risk with effective anti-osteoporosis medications, the post-hip-fracture treatment rate remained low, indicating further advocacy is needed to better post fracture care for patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis in Taiwan.