PGIMER’s Deptt. of Endocrinology to organise public awareness activities to observe World Osteoporosis Day on 20th October
Osteoporosis is a disease that develops when bones become weak that increases the risk of low-trauma fractures. Fractures can occur in any bone but happen most often in bones of the hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is a “silent” disease because it may not present with symptoms, and it may not be evident until one or more bones break.
Osteoporosis is the major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and in older men. In fact, 1 in 3 postmenopausal women and 1 in 5 men above 50 years are expected to sustain a low-trauma fracture in their lifetime. Fractures are associated with increased chances of dying.
In order to increase awareness about the disease, 20th October is celebrated as the WORLD OSTEOPOROSIS DAY every year. This year, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has proposed the propaganda of Step Up For Bone Health. IOF proposes that at any age, there are five steps to better bone health that will reduce the future risk of osteoporosis and fractures, notably:
1. Eat bone-healthy foods
2. Exercise for stronger bones and muscles
3. Maintain a healthy body weight
4. Don’t smoke and avoid excessive alcohol intake
5. Be alert to any personal risk factors
Detailing about the initiatives undertaken, Prof. Sanjay Bhadada, Head, Deptt. of Endocrinology, PGIMER stated, “The Department of Endocrinology at PGIMER has been actively working actively in the field of osteoporosis. For the past 1 year, we have been operating an Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease (OPMBD) Clinic every first Tuesday of the month especially dedicated to the care of patients with osteoporosis and other bone disease.”
Prof. Bhadada further shared, “Besides, for more than a year, we have been operating an online Osteoporosis Registry of India (ORI) where we have hitherto been able to assimilate the data of 130 patients with osteoporosis. Besides, we, along with other stalwarts in the fields of osteoporosis, have come forth with the Indian guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in adults.”
“Till now we have the data of 130 people with osteoporosis visiting our Endocrinology Clinic at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The majority of the people are female (93%). The mean age is 63 years. 20% of the people had sustained one or more fractures. Nearly one-fourth of the people had diabetes mellitus while 3% had celiac disease. 27% of the people with osteoporosis had sustained one or more falls in the last 1 year, ” added Prof. Bhadada.
