The Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW): rationale and study design

Abstract

SummaryThe Global Longitudinal study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW) is a prospective cohort study involving 723 physicians and 60,393 women subjects ≥55 years. The data will provide insights into the management of fracture risk in older women over 5 years, patient experience with prevention and treatment, and distribution of risk among older women on an international basis.IntroductionData from cohort studies describing the distribution of osteoporosis-related fractures and risk factors are not directly comparable and do not compare regional differences in patterns of patient management and fracture outcomes.MethodsThe GLOW is a prospective, multinational, observational cohort study. Practices typical of each region were identified through primary care networks organized for administrative, research, or educational purposes. Noninstitutionalized patients visiting each practice within the previous 2 years were eligible. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed, with 2:1 oversampling of women ≥65 years. Follow-up questionnaires will be sent at 12-month intervals for 5 years.ResultsA total of 723 physicians at 17 sites in ten countries agreed to participate. Baseline surveys were mailed (October 2006 to February 2008) to 140,416 subjects. After the exclusion of 3,265 women who were ineligible or had died, 60,393 agreed to participate.ConclusionsGLOW will provide contemporary information on patterns of management of fracture risk in older women over a 5-year period. The collection of data in a similar manner in ten countries will permit comparisons of patient experience with prevention and treatment and provide insights into the distribution of risk among older women on an international basis.

Comparison between frailty index of deficit accumulation and fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) in prediction of risk of fractures

“…It has been described previously in detail [27]. GLOW was performed to assess the health consequences of and risk factors for fragility fractures in 60,393 women no less than 55 years old who had consulted their physician in the past 24 months.…”

“…The participants were stratified according to age strata such that approximately two-thirds of women aged ≥65 years. Women were eligible to enter the cohort if they had no cognitive impairment or language barriers, and were not institutionalized or too ill to finish the study survey [27].…”

“…A sample of about 4000 women were enrolled between May 2008 and March 2009 and followed up every year to complete the survey. Participants were surveyed by mailing questionnaires annually, in which the questionnaires collected data on participant characteristics and risk factors, health care access and use, co-morbidities, perception about fracture risk and osteoporosis, physical activity, medication use, physical function and quality of life [27]. Telephone interviews were conducted if the participant did not return the mailed survey or needed assistance in completing the questionnaire.…”

Prediction Of Discharge Disposition In Geriatric Women After Traumatic Injury

“…This study included women over the age of 55 years (inclusion criteria have been previously published) (12) . The Worcester GLOW cohort included 5,091 women from the local community for which the University of Massachusetts flagship teaching hospital, UMass Memorial, is the regional American College of Surgeons verified Level 1 trauma center.…”

Thinking Inside the Box: Simple Methods to Evaluate Complex Treatments

“…Indeed, contemporary whole system methods frequently monitor the US health care system and compare national health care systems (Valentine et al, 2004;Hooven et al, 2009). In the 1960's, Avedis Donabedian developed a schema for health system evaluation by dividing health care systems into structure, process, and outcome (Donabedian, 1966).…”