A new study (1) has shown that 1 in 6 people with osteoporosis had a missed diagnosis for the disease.

The original aim of the study looked at how family doctors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia managed osteoporosis in older female patients, finding that a diagnosis was missed in 42 out of 250 — or approximately 1 in 6 — patients.

It concluded that because older females with osteoporosis were not well managed, physicians should undertake professional training and GP practices should undergo regular reviews to make improvements.

The study raises many questions about osteoporosis and how to spot it, which we’re going to take a look at in this article.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a long-term health condition wherein your bones lose strength and become fragile. This leads to an increased risk of breaking bones if you have an injury or fall.

Who is at risk of osteoporosis?

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2), an estimated 924,000 Australians have osteoporosis — that’s 3.8% of the country’s population.

Because loss of bone density is inevitable as you get older, the elderly have osteoporosis risk that is higher. This generally applies to people over the age of 70.

You also have a higher risk of osteoporosis if:

• You are female.

• You have experienced early menopause.

• You have had falls in the past.

• Your parents had hip fractures.

• You already suffer from certain diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease or Cushing’s syndrome.

• You take certain medications, including steroids and medication to treat epilepsy.

What are the signs of osteoporosis?

You may not suspect you have osteoporosis until you break a bone following a minor injury, which is one of the surest signs of this disease.

Other signs include a gradual loss of height, back pain and pain that feels like muscle or joint pain but is actually caused by small fractures in your bones.

What should I do if I suspect I or a loved one has osteoporosis?

If you recognise any of these symptoms, go and see your GP. They will be able to order a bone density scan to aid diagnosis.

If the results show that you have the condition, osteoporosis treatment will be prescribed. This could take the form of medication to strengthen your bones or lifestyle changes, such as starting an exercise plan to increase your strength and improve your balance to avoid falls.

For osteoporosis in the elderly, treatment is much the same. Your doctor may advise other adjustments to your lifestyle, such as following a nutritious diet that includes plenty of calcium and protein, keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake.

Making everyday living better, safer and smarter

Osteoporosis is one of a number of long-term conditions that can affect older people’s quality of life.

And because this condition can mean increasing frailty with a risk of falls, it can also impact how safe older people feel living independently.

If this resonates with you or a family member, why not explore the Tunstall range of in-home and personal alarms and fall detectors that link to a 24/7 call centre as part of their Connected Care system.

This means that if you or a loved one needs help, they can instantly connect with a friendly member of call centre staff who will assess the situation and get help if required.

It’s all about having the peace of mind to help you or a loved one live independently without worry. Get in touch with our team today to know more about our full range of products that make everyday living better, safer and smarter.

References

(1) Al Anazi S M, Al Khamali A A, Al Ateeq M A (February 19, 2022). ‘Practice of Family Physicians in the Management of Osteoporosis Among Older Female Patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.’ Cureus 14(2): e22387. doi:10.7759/cureus.22387

(2) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website.