Comprehensive Evaluation of Treatment Patterns in Postmenopausal Patients with Osteoporosis without Fractures: Insights from Tertiary Care Institutions and Nationwide OMOP-CDM Data.

BACKGRUOUND: Osteoporosis is a global health concern. Despite emerging treatment options for this condition, limited data are available on hospital practices in South Korea. This study addresses the need for a hospital network database that reflects changes in routine clinical practice for osteoporosis in a timely manner.

METHODS

We analyzed prescription patterns for anti-osteoporosis medications (AOMs) in postmenopausal women aged ≥50 years diagnosed with osteoporosis between 2012 and 2021 using data from Osteoporosis Analysis and Surveillance Initiative using Standardized data (OASIS) (four tertiary hospitals in South Korea) and a nationwide database from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) Service. AOMs were categorized into antiresorptive and anabolic agents, with a focus on secular changes in the use of oral bisphosphonates, denosumab, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and anabolic agents.

RESULTS

In the OASIS cohort, oral bisphosphonates were the most prescribed first-line AOM (49.0%), followed by denosumab (15.7%) and SERMs (18.0%). Denosumab use increased from 2% in 2016 to 40% in 2020, while oral bisphosphonate use declined from 69% in 2012 to 22% in 2021. The use of anabolic agents, including romosozumab and teriparatide, doubled to 6% after 2019. In the HIRA cohort, parenteral bisphosphonates were most common (54.3%), with significant denosumab use (17.3%).

CONCLUSION

Pronounced shifts in AOM prescription patterns were observed in South Korea, marked by a notable increase in denosumab prescriptions and a decline in bisphosphonate use. These trends highlight the impact of policy changes and clinical guidelines on osteoporosis treatment and may inform future management strategies.