Osteoporosis and Osteopenia – A Rising Healthcare Problem

Abstract

With Asia housing 75% of humanity, and the proportion of seniors rapidly climbing from 5.3% in 2015 to 9.3% by 2025, Osteoporosis is rapidly becoming a growing medical ailment in this part of the world too [1]. In Pakistan, though clear data on occurrence of hip fractures (osteoporotic) annually is not established, large ultrasound studies suggest that there may be more than 9 million people (7 million women, 2 million men) afflicted with Osteoporosis. It is expected that these estimates may very well cross 12 million by the year 2050 – becoming a major health burden. Low per capita income and high hospital costs further derail the earning capacity. Estimations indicate the population to cross 340 million by the year 2050, and of these 14.9% (50 million) will be over the age 60 years. A five year study from one hospital revealed a 2:1 female to male ratio of hip fracture cases, with 61 years being the average age of patients having osteoporotic fracture. This average age is lower than that reported in North America and Europe but matches data from India. Another study revealed 16% and 34% occurrence of osteoporosis and osteopenia respectively in females of age group 45 to 70 using ultrasound technique. Another study from KPK province estimated the numbers at 29 and 42% respectively. 75% of postmenopausal women from Peshawar seemed to be at risk of osteoporosis on a clinical risk score analysis [2-7].