World Osteoporosis Day was observed on Saturday across the world including Pakistan to highlight the importance of bone health and the debilitating effects of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a 'silent disease'‚ a chronic condition caused by the slow loss of bone density‚ which results in bones becoming fragile‚ porous and brittle and hence more prone to fractures‚ usually in the wrist‚ spine and hips.
The World Osteoporosis Day provides the focal platform for disseminating information and educating the general public and policy makers about osteoporosis‚ especially spinal bone with the key message that vertebral fractures are mostly overlooked and not treated‚ that early diagnosis is essential to halt a cascade of fractures and that the three major signs of vertebral fractures are loss in height‚ back pain and a stoop.
World Osteoporosis Day was launched on October 20‚ 1996, by the United Kingdom's National Osteoporosis Society and supported by European Commission. Since 1997‚ the day has been organised by IOF. In 1998 and 1999‚ the World Health Organisation acted as co-sponsor of World Osteoporosis Day. Since 1999 World Osteoporosis Day campaigns have featured a specific theme.