Authors: (including presenting author): :
Ng MP(1), Shiu ATY(2), Mok MPH(3), Sin WM(4), Choi CY(5), Liu KM(6), Leung CM(7), Lam KM(8), Kam GYW(9)
Affiliation: :
(1) Diabetes Ambulatory Care Centre, United Christian Hospital
(2) Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(8),(9) Diabetes Ambulatory Care Centre, United Christian Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Osteoporosis Nurse Clinic Model
Keyword 2: :
Osteoporosis
Introduction: :
Osteoporosis significantly contributes to morbidity among older adults. To address this issue, an Osteoporosis Nurse Clinic Model (OSNCM) was established at United Christian Hospital (2024-10-02). It provides coordinated assessment, education, treatment optimization, and follow-up through group-education with three sessions: (1) osteoporosis concepts and pharmacotherapy to inform initial treatment decisions; (2) medication adherence and lifestyle modification (including calcium intake, weight-bearing exercise, and sun exposure); and (3) fall prevention and monitoring for adverse effects.
Objectives: :
This paper reports on the overall effectiveness of OSNCM.
Methodology: :
We conducted a retrospective evaluation with 378 OSNCM attendees (2024-10-02 to 2025-03-31). Only 277 attendees completed follow-ups (default rate 26.7%). Data collection included demographics, DXA T-scores, medications, and lifestyle measures. Pre- and 6–12-month post-intervention DXA T-scores for femur/hip (total), femur neck, and lumbar spine were compared. Drug adherence, calcium intake, exercise duration, and sun exposure were analyzed using paired tests.
Result & Outcome: :
Participants were predominantly female (95%), and mainly aged 61–80 years. Results indicated significant improvements in bone mineral density, with the following changes in DXA T-scores post-intervention: -Femur/hip (total), n = 60: osteoporosis decreased by 21% (n = 33 to 26); osteopenia increased by 27% (n = 22 to 28).
-Femur neck, n = 58: osteoporosis decreased by 29% (n = 41 to 29); osteopenia increased by 87% (n = 15 to 28).
-Lumbar spine, n = 78: osteoporosis decreased by 33% (n = 57 to 38); osteopenia increased by 94% (n = 18 to 35).
Treatment patterns shifted toward increased use of newer therapies (>5%) such as denosumab and romosozumab, while the number of untreated participants decreased by 15.4%. Nurse-led follow-ups reported 100% medication adherence. Dietary outcomes showed increase in daily calcium intake post-intervention (p < 0.001), with a reduction in participants consuming less than 300 mg/day and an increase in those consuming 601–1000 mg/day. While improvements in exercise duration and sun exposure were observed, these did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05).
These outcomes demonstrated that the newly developed OSNCM had effective improvements in bone density classifications, treatment uptake, medication adherence, and calcium intake among participants. Lifestyle behavior changes related to weight-bearing exercise and sun exposure were modest and required further targeted interventions.
