Why are millions of people with osteoporosis still undiagnosed? New report reveals all

An International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) report issued for World Osteoporosis Day has identified major care gaps and solutions to the global healthcare crisis arising from fragility fractures.

The report finds that gaps in care are preventing millions of at-risk individuals from being diagnosed and treated worldwide.

“This report is a necessary and urgent call to action,” says co-author Prof Eugene McCloskey. “A ‘fracture tsunami’ is approaching, and the resulting human and socioeconomic burden will have an enormous impact on all countries with ageing populations.

“The result of fragility fractures can be profoundly debilitating, with chronic pain and disability leading to reduced mobility and quality of life. Fewer than half of seniors who survive a hip fracture will walk unaided again, and up to 20% will become residents of care homes in the year following the fracture.”

As well as identifying what is preventing early assessment and treatment, the report outlines possible solutions that could be implemented by national health authorities worldwide.

Poor case finding and management is found in regard to:

• Secondary fracture prevention
• Osteoporosis induced by medicines
• Diseases associated with osteoporosis
• Primary fracture prevention for individuals at high risk of fracture

Suboptimal communication and low public awareness is identified in regard to

• The importance of staying on prescribed treatment
• Public awareness of the serious impact of osteoporosis and fracture risk
• Knowledge of the benefits versus the risks of osteoporosis treatment

Neglect by national governments and healthcare systems:

• Impeding access and reimbursement to osteoporosis assessment and treatment
• Failing to prioritize fragility fracture prevention in national healthcare policy

More data, particularly from the developing world, is needed to help inform policy development. This is of special urgency given that projections indicate that the burden of fragility fractures will shift to the developing world over the next four decades.

IOF President Prof John A Kanis comments:

“The care gaps described in this report, together with their associated solutions, outline a Global Framework for tackling the devastating burden of osteoporotic fractures around the world. We urge national policymakers and healthcare professional organizations to work together to identify local gaps in the provision of best practice for the populations that they serve. One important step, among others, is the systematic implementation of Fracture Liaison Services to address the need for secondary fracture prevention within the most high risk patients.”

“It is clear that the time for optimal management of bone health is now – not in 10 or 20 years’ time when it will already be too late.”

Source: International Osteoporosis Foundation

Click here to read the full report.

Click here for more on World Osteoporosis Day (20 October)

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