Detection of low bone mineral density in self-referred and medically referred patients

Introduction

The Mexican health-care system is a mixture of governmental and private institutions. The osteoporosis screening algorithm has a multiple case start-point, the most common being medical referral; however, self-screening is available where patients can arrange a bone densitometry themselves.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of self-screening for osteoporosis and osteopenia among a Mexican population.

Materials and methods

A retrospective observational study was performed as a secondary outcome from an institutional cohort of patients who attended an osteoporosis center. We divided the cohort into two groups: self-referred patients and medical-referred patients.

Results

The overall prevalence of osteoporosis between the two groups was 1160 (self-referred n = 44; 29.5% vs medical-referred n = 227; 22.5%; p = .057) (OR (Odds Ratio); 95% CI (Confidence Interval): 1.44; .98–2.12) and the prevalence of osteopenia was (n = 122; 81.9% vs n = 811; 80.2%; p = .633) (OR (Odds Ratio); 95% CI (Confidence Interval): 1.11; .71–1.73).

Conclusion

There was no statistical difference between the self-referred and the medically referred patients in the overall diagnosis of osteoporosis and/or osteopenia. Nevertheless, the incidence of osteoporosis and osteopenia as an outcome for the self-referred patients was not lower than that of those with a medical referral.