Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become less dense, which makes them weaker and more likely to break. It affects over 3 million people in the UK and hospitalises 500,000 every year.

People with osteoporosis are particularly at risk of fractures: wrist, hip joint and bones in the spine (vertebrae) are the most common affected sites. Bone fractures are mainly caused by falls that would not normally cause a broken bone in a healthy individual, but can result in a break in those with osteoporosis.

Risk factors

The most significant factor in developing osteoporosis is age. While only 2% of women aged 50 suffer from osteoporosis, over 25% of women have the condition at 80.

Being female is another major risk factor for osteoporosis. This is because the hormone oestrogen is directly linked with maintaining adequate bone density, and levels of this hormone plummet after menopause.

Other causes of reduced oestrogen can also contribute to decreased bone density, such as having a hysterectomy (which can cause early menopause) or losing your periods for over 6 months due to weight loss or extreme exercise.

Screening

Other than an increased fracture risk, there is no way of knowing you have osteoporosis without medical tests. Osteoporosis itself is silent, with no felt symptoms.

Doctors can use special prediction tools to calculate your future risk of having a fracture in the next 10 years. This works by looking at any risk factors you may carry, such as higher age, being female, or smoking.

Other than an increased fracture risk, there is no way of knowing you have osteoporosis without medical tests. Osteoporosis itself is silent, with no felt symptoms.

Doctors can use special prediction tools to calculate your future risk of having a fracture in the next 10 years. This works by looking at any risk factors you may carry, such as higher age, being female, or smoking.
Depending on the results of the assessment tools, you might be recommended to go for a DEXA scan. This is a special type of scanner which uses x-rays to measure bone density.

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