Osteo may affect more
September 5, 2014
THE Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare (AIHW) has said
osteoporosis prevalence could be
higher than reported.
In 2011-12, the estimated
prevalence of self-reported
diagnosed osteoporosis was 15%
of women and 3% of men aged
over 50 years, according to the
Australian Health Survey, the AIHW
report found.
Based on a recent bone density
study, the prevalence was
estimated to be 23% of women
and 6% of men over 50, for both
diagnosed and undiagnosed cases,
the report found.
Because osteoporosis was
a ‘silent’ condition, with no
obvious symptoms, it often went
undiagnosed until a fracture
occurred and so it was difficult
to determine the actual number
of those affected, spokesperson
Louise York said.
Osteoporosis ceo Gail Morgan
said pharmacists played an
important role as frontline
healthcare professionals and could
talk to patients in the pharmacy
about risk factors, ask patients
who had broken bones recently
about bone density tests and check
with patients over 50, particularly
women, if they were getting
enough exercise, dairy servings and
more.
Government should take note
of the cost to healthcare of the
condition, she said.
CLICK HERE to read the report.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 05 Sep 14To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 05 Sep 14
