Need to diagnose, manage osteoporosis stressed

The increasing number of fractures can be controlled with early diagnosis and prevention of Osteoporosis which majority of time is a root cause of a fracture. This was revealed by speakers at an awareness seminar on 'Osteoporosis' at a local hotel. Advisor to Chief Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said, "In Pakistan, we have seen rising number of fractures reported, which can be controlled with early diagnosis and prevention of Osteoporosis which majority of time is a root cause of a fracture."
Worldwide, fracture incidence is 2 to 3 fold higher than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer among women and need to be paid the same amount of attention. Director General Health Services, Punjab, Dr Zahid Pervaiz said, "Of all the complications experienced by females after their menopause none is more devastating than this disease. It is estimated that about one-third women aged between 60 and 70 years, and two-thirds of all women aged 50 years or older, are afflicted by this disorder."
Professor Aftab Ahmad, Professor Nader M Akhter, Professor Abu Bakar, Professor Shafique Ahmed Shafaq, Dr Omer Adil and Dr Mazhar Iqbal Chaudhry answered questions. According to statistics from the International Osteoporosis Foundation, 30-50 percent of women and 15-30 percent of men were likely to suffer a fracture related to osteoporosis in their lifetime. According to WHO, risk factors for fracture include low bone mass density, advances age, history of fracture over age of 50, family history of hip fracture, long term use of steroids, rheumatoid arthritis and smoking. The major consequence of this disease is a fracture which is very distressing leading to high cost, long bed period and dependency on others.
Many people are unable to control their osteoporosis because they do not take their medication properly or on a regular basis. The modern therapy for this is an infusion which is to be taken once a year to stay protected from fractures for the whole year. In Pakistan, vitamin and calcium supplements are used excessively for osteoporosis management which is not the right treatment of osteoporosis.