Table 1.
Characteristics of Propensity Score–Matched Study Population in 12 Months Prior to Filling Their First Osteoporosis Drug Prescription
| Bisphosphonates | Raloxifene/calcitonin | |
|---|---|---|
| n | 17,028 | 16,787 |
| Demographic factors | ||
| Age, years, mean (SD) | 79.9 (6.5) | 80.0 (6.9) |
| Race, white | 16,180 (95) | 15,987 (95.2) |
| Sex, female | 16,474 (96.8) | 16,244 (96.8) |
| Health care utilization | ||
| No. of visits, mean (SD) | 10.6 (6) | 10.5 (6.1) |
| ER visit | 4,505 (26.5) | 4,482 (26.7) |
| No. of all prescription drugs, mean (SD) | 10.4 (6) | 10.5 (6.1) |
| Hospitalization | 6,089 (35.8) | 6,146 (36.6) |
| Nursing home resident | 1,882 (11.1) | 1,991 (11.9) |
| Comorbidities | ||
| Prior fall | 2,094 (12.3) | 2,119 (12.6) |
| Prior hip fracture | 612 (3.6) | 601 (3.6) |
| Prior vertebral fracture | 1,858 (10.9) | 1,890 (11.3) |
| BMD test | 4,085 (24) | 4,180 (24.9) |
| Hypertension | 11,303 (66.4) | 11,233 (66.9) |
| Chronic kidney disease | 492 (2.9) | 481 (2.9) |
| Chronic liver disease | 207 (1.2) | 191 (1.1) |
| Parkinson disease | 586 (3.4) | 598 (3.6) |
| Dementia | 1,039 (6.1) | 1,092 (6.5) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 4,354 (25.6) | 4,312 (25.7) |
| Congestive heart failure | 3,664 (21.5) | 3,728 (22.2) |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | 4,782 (28.1) | 4,763 (28.4) |
| Inflammatory arthritis | 1,267 (7.4) | 1,258 (7.5) |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | 241 (1.4) | 226 (1.4) |
| Alcoholism | 311 (1.8) | 301 (1.8) |
| Comorbidity index, mean (SD) | 1.9 (1.9) | 2 (1.9) |
| Other medications | ||
| Opioids | 6,817 (40) | 6,826 (40.7) |
| Antiepileptics | 892 (5.2) | 877 (5.2) |
| Proton pump inhibitors | 4,361 (25.6) | 4,441 (26.5) |
| Benzodiazepines | 4,636 (27.2) | 4,614 (27.5) |
| Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | 2,654 (15.6) | 2,683 (16) |
| Warfarin | 1,814 (10.7) | 1,786 (10.6) |
| Inhaled steroid | 1,389 (8.2) | 1,391 (8.3) |
| Oral steroid | 2,420 (14.2) | 2,387 (14.2) |
Note: New Jersey and Pennsylvania combined, second drug dispensing and a 90-day lag period are required. Data are presented in number (%), unless specified.
SD = standard deviation; ER = emergency room; BMD = bone mineral density.