Pluri-social participation to increase inclusion and assertiveness in health decision-making related to osteoporosis treatments

Abstract

Although fragility fractures are important detractors of health-related quality of life, increasing morbidity and mortality and causing a high clinical, psychosocial, and economic impact, they are undervalued and neglected by physicians and even patients. In addition, prioritization criteria for evaluating new technologies, in general, do not consider criteria other than financial ones for a more inclusive and assertive decision-making for the treatment of the population at higher risk of fracture. Thus, this article aims to revisit some different points of view and bring a reflection on criteria and priorities in osteoporosis. For this, the perspective of multiple stakeholders in the health decision-making process was considered, as well as the failures in the care of this highly prevalent disease that, in addition to the great economic impact generated for society, causes emotional repercussions, disability generated by fractures and fear of further falls or minor trauma.