Assessment of risk for osteoporosis

Abstract

<p>Osteoporosis is a major global public health problem associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. Osteoporosis is a silent disease, reflected only in a low bone density, till a fracture occurs. Much in the manner that asymptomatic conditions such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia predispose to stroke and myocardial infarction, respectively, a low bone density predisposes to osteoporotic fractures. With increasing longevity of the Indian population, it is now being realized that, as in the West, osteoporotic fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly.&nbsp; The total affected population would, therefore, be around 25 million. If the lower bone density is shown to confer a greater risk of fracture, as is expected, the figure can increase to 50 million. Osteoporosis has become a formidable public health problem in India and a multidisciplinary approach is needed to identify its aetiological factors and devise strategies for mass prevention. <strong>On 17^th of October 2014 the student body of Fortis Institute of Nursing put up an exhibition on &ldquo;Osteoporosis&rdquo; in the OPD of Fortis Hospital, Mulund.</strong></p> <p>Osteoporosis can be prevented and treated if diagnosed early and accurately. Unfortunately, as said, it is often undiagnosed until a fracture occurs. Measuring bone mineral density (BMD) is the most important tool in the diagnosis of osteoporosis<strong>.&nbsp;</strong>Therefore, the number of people who must be screened for this disease must begin at an earlier age, though WHO proposes at 50 years of age with no risk factors. <strong>The main objective of the exhibition was to educate the visitors on various aspects of Osteoporosis, its early diagnosis, prevention aspects so as to be able to prevent osteoporotic fractures.</strong>&nbsp; <strong>The exhibition also provided a free assessment of osteoporosis using the FRAX scale and BMD test for the visitors.</strong></p>