Rising trend: ‘Timely osteoporosis diagnosis can help avoid fractures’

Seminar organised on the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day

LAHORE: Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique said on Friday that the increasing incidence of fractures in Pakistan could be controlled by timely diagnosis and prevention of osteoporosis.

He was addressing a seminar organised to mark the World Osteoporosis Day. Rafique said the disease was the most common cause of fractures.  He said it had significant economic consequences due to costs incurred to hospitalise patients and fix fractures. Rafique said incidences of fractures worldwide were two to three times greater than those of cardiac arrest, stroke and breast cancer. He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had categorised the disease as a leading health problem as it was second only to cardiac disease in prevalence.



Rafique said it was unfortunate that people were not routinely screened for the disease as it could be easily diagnosed and treated.

Health Services Director General Zahid Pervaiz said one-third of all women aged between 60 and 70 years and two-thirds of women aged over 50 suffered from the disease. He said osteoporosis was the most debilitating condition that women suffered from after hitting menopause.

Professors Aftab Ahmad, Nader M Akhter, Abu Bakar and Shafique Ahmed Shafaq were also present on the occasion.

According to statistics released by the International Osteoporosis Foundation 30-50 per cent of women and 15-30 per cent of men were likely to experience a fracture from osteoporosis once in their lifetime.

Low bone density, smoking, prolonged use of steroids and rheumatoid arthritis constitute major risk factors for fractures.

Scores of people suffering from the disease are unable to mitigate its impact due to irregular use of medication. Modern treatment for osteoporosis is an infusion that needs to be taken annually to prevent fractures.  Treatment in Pakistan for managing osteoporosis relies on using vitamin and calcium supplements that is not correct. Though serious, the disease is not unmanageable as orthopaedic doctors can alleviate the condition.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2014.