600,000 Australians afflicted with osteoporosis

Aug 5 2008

According to a new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and Osteoporosis Australia, more than 600,000 Australians are affected by osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis a disease that causes bones to become fragile and weak which greatly increases the risk of them fracturing.

As it usually does not manifest itself with any signs or symptoms it is considered a 'silent' disease which is often undiagnosed until a fracture occurs.

Those most commonly affected by osteoporosis are women and men who are middle-age and older.

The report "A picture of osteoporosis in Australia" says that one in 2 women and one in 4 men over the age of 60 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.

Dr. Kuldeep Bhatia, Head of the AIHW's National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions, says these fractures may lead to chronic pain, activity restrictions, loss of independence and, sometimes, death.

The management of osteoporosis can include medication, exercise, physical therapy and a healthy diet and lifestyle and there are a number of vitamin/mineral supplements such as calcium and Vitamin D, which help some sufferers.

It is estimated that about 43% of Australians with osteoporosis take medications and 40% use vitamin/mineral supplements.

Experts say osteoporotic fractures occur most commonly in the hip, spine and wrist and is largely preventable, with a healthy diet, adequate vitamin D levels, regular exercise and not smoking.

Medical Director of Osteoporosis Australia, Professor Peter Ebeling, says such actions can also help people with osteoporosis to reduce their risk of fracture.

This second in a series of booklets about musculoskeletal diseases, was jointly produced by the AIHW, Osteoporosis Australia, and the Department of Health and Ageing.

The osteoporosis booklet has information about the disease, how many Australians have it, how and where it affects the body, who is at risk, the financial and health impacts, how it can be prevented. and how many Australians have it.

Osteoporosis Australia aims to provide services and osteoporosis information to the community and health professionals, in order to improve awareness and reduce fractures.