Did you know?

World Osteoporosis Day is October 20th 2022; An annual campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.

Over the age 60? “ Over a half of women, and a third of men are affected by osteoporosis

Physically inactive? The risk of having a fracture due to osteoporosis is around 56% higher than a person who is physically active.

Is it a silent disease? Osteoporosis usually has no symptoms until a fracture occurs – this is why it is often referred to as the ‘silent disease’.

In 2011, The most common medication was the combination product alendronate (Fosamax) and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D), which was recorded at a rate of 13 per 100 osteoporosis problems managed.

Osteoporosis Australia estimates that in 2012, 4.74 million Australians older than 50 years of age (66%) had poor bone health, including more than one million individuals living with osteoporosis.

By the end of 2022, it is estimated that 6.2 million Australians older than 50 years of age will have osteoporosis or osteopenia, a rise of 31% from 2012.

An increase in fracture rate from 140,882 in 2012 to 183,105 in 2022 is anticipated.

A study in 2013 audited general practitioners and found that 402 of their patients, both men and women, aged 60-95 only had 141 of their patients scanned for osteoporosis. Additionally, 66% of the patients had osteopenia and 26% had osteoporosis and of this, none were receiving medical treatment.

Osteoporotic fractures are very common worldwide, with a fracture occurring every 3 seconds and a vertebral fracture every 22 seconds worldwide.

Osteoporosis currently affects 10% of the Australian population.

Many individuals are not being appropriately diagnosed or treated for osteoporosis in Australian general practice, as the majority of individuals considered to be high risk (having at least one previous osteoporotic fracture) are neither identified nor treated.

A study in 2004 revealed that over 8800 postmenopausal Australian women had almost one-third had an osteoporotic fracture, yet more than 80% of these women had neither been investigated nor treated to reduce their risk of a further fracture

Hip fractures often have a wide range of effects on patients, both physically and psychologically: including short term pain and morbidity, and long term loss of height, bone deformities, chronic pain, disability and death.

Hip fractures are the most serious consequence of osteoporosis, with 24% estimated to die within 12 months,5 and an increased risk of death for at least another 4 years.

People living with diseases such as HIV, cancer, and diabetes often experience bone loss that can increase their risk of fractures.

Second to Osteoporosis, Diabetes Mellitus is one of the significant chronic metabolic diseases requiring continuous medical attention including multifactorial risk-reduction strategies beyond glycaemic control. It is a risk factor for osteoporosis, leading to increased risk of fracture, and ultimately reduced quality of life, and considerable morbidity and mortality.