“Osteoporosis second leading cause of disability globally”

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, Osteoporosis falls under the umbrella of musculoskeletal conditions which is the second leading cause of disability globally, said National Action Network Coordinator for the Bone and Joint Decade and PSRD Vice President Ghazala Hameed Monday at a function to organised to mark World Osteoporosis Day. The function was organised by the Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled.

It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, a silent, debilitating and deadly disease which causes bones to become brittle and weak and is the leading cause of fragility fractures and disability in older people. It affects both men and women. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, 1 out of 3 women and one out of 5 men, aged over 50 years, will break a bone due to osteoporosis. To counteract the misconception that osteoporosis is a women’s disease, the message of WOD 2014 is aimed at men. “Strong on the Outside, Stronger on the Inside”.

With aging population, rapid urbanisation and low levels of vitamin D present in younger people, these conditions are on the rise, including osteoporosis, she said, adding that according to the Asia Pacific Regional Audit of Osteoporosis IOF it is expected that by the year 2050, 50% of all fractures will occur in Asia.  We need to be ready for osteoporosis which is a health crisis in waiting. Fracture registries in hospitals are a necessary tool for monitoring high risk patients and preventing secondary fractures.  She elaborated on the initiatives that PSRD has been taking to promote musculoskeletal health and the recent “Healthy Bones” rally in Punjab was organised in collaboration with the Motorbike Association of Pakistan. She urged the government to make musculoskeletal conditions in general and osteoporosis in particular a public health priority.

An informative presentation on osteoporosis was made by PSRD Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Javed Iqbal which was much appreciated by the participants.

Renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon Prof Aftab Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.

Addressing the participants, Advisor on Health to Punjab Chief Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique lauded the efforts of PSRD. He said osteoporosis had significant economic consequences due to costs incurred to hospitalise patients and fix fractures. He said incidences of fractures worldwide were two to three times greater than those of cardiac arrest, stroke and breast cancer. He proposed the formation of a working group which would include orthopaedic specialists, NGOs and media to prepare a road map for osteoporosis prevention.